agonizing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

While Catholic kids have usually been led to assume that the baby Jesus arrived on the wings of doves, Mary’s labor is nothing short of agonizing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Wood had been agonizing over what to say to convince the board to spare his life.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

He faced an agonizing 20-minute wait on the 18th fairway as Jacob Bridgeman, in the preceding group, played a shot from the beach that cracked off a cliff and back into the ocean.

From Barron's • Feb. 15, 2026

CNN chief media analyst Brian Stelter recently reminded his newsletter’s readers that NBC used to promote “Today” as “America’s first family,” pointing out that “this agonizing week has shown why.”

From Salon • Feb. 13, 2026

While Johnson wrestled with another agonizing decision, a copy of the troop request came across Ellsberg’s desk.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin