Standard Lemma guide

agonizingly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /ˈæɡ.ə.naɪ.zɪŋ.li/
  • CMU ARPABET: AE1 G AH0 N AY2 Z IH0 NG L IY2 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In an agonizing manner; in a way that causes agony.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • The hour I waited for the pain medication to take effect dragged on agonizingly.
  • Friday afternoons always seem to be agonizingly prolonged.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a very painful manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the progress was agonizingly slow

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: excruciatingly, torturously

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English agonizing Middle English -ly English -ly English agonizingly From agonizing + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Esperanto: angorige — in a way that causes agony
  • Portuguese: agonizantemente — in a way that causes agony