excruciating

American  

[ik-skroo-shee-ey-ting] / ɪkˈskru ʃiˌeɪ tɪŋ /

adjective

1. extremely painful; causing intense suffering; unbearably distressing; torturing: excruciating pain.

   an excruciating noise;

   excruciating pain.

   Synonyms:

   racking, agonizing, unendurable, insufferable, unbearable

2. exceedingly elaborate or intense; extreme.

   done with excruciating care.

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excruciating British  

/ ɪkˈskruːʃɪˌeɪtɪŋ /

adjective

1. unbearably painful; agonizing

2. intense; extreme

   he took excruciating pains to do it well

3. informal irritating; trying

4. humorous very bad

   an excruciating pun

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Other Word Forms

• excruciatingly adverb
• unexcruciating adjective

Etymology

Origin of excruciating

First recorded in 1655–65; excruciat(e) + -ing ²

Explanation

Something that’s really intense or painful is excruciating. If you go skiing and break your leg in several places, the ride from the slope to the hospital will be excruciating — unless you're unconscious, too. Excruciating doesn't just hurt. It feels like torture. This adjective actually comes to us from the Latin excruciatus, which means “to afflict, harass, vex, torment.” Extremely painful injuries are certainly excruciating, but sometimes so are tedious tasks or long waits: Watching the old lady in front of you pay for her groceries one nickel at a time can be just as excruciating as 4 broken ribs, especially if you're in a hurry.

Example Sentences

The children and families at Dilley are often held under excruciating conditions, but their numbers are declining: Since Castro’s first trip, in January, the population at the center has dropped from 1,100 to just 450.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

And I’m sorry that your ex’s choice to be avoidant is only making what I imagine to be a painful process that much more excruciating and drawn out.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

But my real and digital lives are now filled with women explaining, in excruciating detail, what I should do to strengthen my skeleton.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

She would avoid tight-fitting clothing and found dressing for festivals and parties "excruciating."

From BBC • Feb. 17, 2026

Franny was now sitting with the flat of her free hand pressed against the side of her face, like someone with an excruciating toothache.

From "Franny and Zooey" by J. D. Salinger

Related Words

• acute
• agonizing
• exquisite
• grueling
• harrowing
• intense
• searing
• severe
• unbearable