excruciating

Present participle of excruciate, from Latin excruciō, from ex- + cruciō (“I torment”).

• IPA^(key): /ɛkˈskɹuːʃiːeɪtɪŋ/, /ɪkˈskɹuːʃiːeɪtɪŋ/

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excruciating (comparative more excruciating, superlative most excruciating)

1. Causing great pain or anguish, agonizing

   Synonyms: lacerating, poignant

   • 2011, Charles Colson, Nancy Pearcey, How Now Shall We Live?:

     Sagan faced an excruciating dilemma: Should he remain true to his naturalistic philosophy and reject the marrow graft as something acquired by immoral means? Or should he agree to undergo the medical treatment in hope of saving his life

2. Exceedingly intense; extreme
   • 1922, Agatha Christie, “Chapter 16”, in The Secret Adversary:

     When he at last opened his eyes, he was conscious of nothing but an excruciating pain through his temples. He was vaguely aware of unfamiliar surroundings.

• cruciate
• excruciate