Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

excruciating

/ɪkˈskɹuʃi.eɪtɪŋ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.06 in modern English

Syllables: ex-cru-ci-a-ting
IPA: /ɪkˈskɹuʃi.eɪtɪŋ/

24

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

5

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Causing great pain or anguish, agonizing

adj

Exceedingly intense; extreme

Example Sentences

"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"
"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."

Etymology

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

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɪkˈskɹuʃi.eɪtɪŋ/
British English: /ɪkˈskɹuːʃi.eɪtɪŋ/

Inflected Forms

more excruciating (comparative) most excruciating (superlative)

Derived Forms

excruciatingly superexcruciating unexcruciating

Frequently Paired Words

cruciate excruciate

Synonyms

lacerating poignant searing agonizing agonising harrowing torturing torturous torturesome

Questions

How do you pronounce excruciating?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɪkˈskɹuʃi.eɪtɪŋ/.
What does excruciating mean?: Causing great pain or anguish, agonizing
Where does excruciating come from?: Present participle of excruciate, from Latin excruciō, from ex- + cruciō (“to torment”).

How to pronounce excruciating

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