excruciate
verb
ex·cru·ci·ate ik-ˈskrü-shē-ˌāt 
excruciated; excruciating
transitive verb
1
: to inflict intense pain on : torture
2
: to subject to intense mental distress
excruciation
ik-ˌskrü-shē-ˈā-shən
noun -sē-
Synonyms
- afflict
- agonize
- anguish
- bedevil
- beset
- besiege
- curse
- harrow
- persecute
- plague
- rack
- torment
- torture
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee
Recent Examples on the Web Her daughter Kaitlyn, 13, suffers from juvenile inflammatory arthritis and an immune deficiency, which cause excruciating joint pain that often leaves her bedridden or reliant on a wheelchair to get around. 
Anahad O’connor, New York Times, 28 May 2020 For example, a person with a hernia who infrequently experiences minor discomfort likely wouldn't be as much of a priority as someone with a hernia that causes excruciating pain every day. Perry Vandell, azcentral, 25 Apr. 2020 Exposed, incapacitated, and in excruciating pain, laboring moms rely on other people—doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and especially their partners—for help and support. Minhae Shim Roth, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2020 For people who struggle with sobriety, for whom isolation is excruciating and group support essential, the ban on group gatherings to combat the spread of the coronavirus is pure hell. Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020 Among other problems the inspection report listed: One resident with a fractured pelvis spent hours in excruciating pain because workers didn’t get the person medications. oregonlive, 24 Apr. 2020 Sometimes their grandchildren are excruciated and appalled by what’s meant to be lightly funny. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2020 One poor woman is left in excruciating pain for 24 hours, and Meredith’s ex-boyfriend Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) accuses the relative of a patient of being a human trafficker. Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 20 Mar. 2020 As part of that process, said Dr. Barbot, a person is asked in excruciating detail to account for their time in 15-minute intervals. Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, 2 Feb. 2020 See More
Anahad O’connor, New York Times, 28 May 2020 For example, a person with a hernia who infrequently experiences minor discomfort likely wouldn't be as much of a priority as someone with a hernia that causes excruciating pain every day. Perry Vandell, azcentral, 25 Apr. 2020 Exposed, incapacitated, and in excruciating pain, laboring moms rely on other people—doctors, nurses, midwives, doulas, and especially their partners—for help and support. Minhae Shim Roth, Glamour, 1 Apr. 2020 For people who struggle with sobriety, for whom isolation is excruciating and group support essential, the ban on group gatherings to combat the spread of the coronavirus is pure hell. Jan Hoffman, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2020 Among other problems the inspection report listed: One resident with a fractured pelvis spent hours in excruciating pain because workers didn’t get the person medications. oregonlive, 24 Apr. 2020 Sometimes their grandchildren are excruciated and appalled by what’s meant to be lightly funny. Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2020 One poor woman is left in excruciating pain for 24 hours, and Meredith’s ex-boyfriend Andrew DeLuca (Giacomo Gianniotti) accuses the relative of a patient of being a human trafficker. Ariana Romero, refinery29.com, 20 Mar. 2020 As part of that process, said Dr. Barbot, a person is asked in excruciating detail to account for their time in 15-minute intervals. Melanie Grayce West, WSJ, 2 Feb. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin excruciatus, past participle of excruciare, from ex- + cruciare to crucify, from cruc-, crux cross
First Known Use
circa 1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1
excruciates
verb
as in plagues
to cause persistent suffering to she has long been excruciated by an undiagnosed pain in her knee Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- plagues
- persecutes
- tortures
- afflicts
- attacks
- bothers
- besieges
- troubles
- curses
- torments
- besets
- anguishes
- agonizes
- harrows
- bedevils
- racks
- stings
- discomposes
- overwhelms
- aggravates
- dogs
- annoys
- hurts
- strikes
- exasperates
- disturbs
- pursues
- stresses
- upsets
- irks
- bugs
- worries
- disquiets
- irritates
- distresses
- hagrides
- harries
- badgers
- hounds
- pains
- gripes
- puts out
- discomforts
- vexes
- strains
- stabs
- peeves
- assails
- riles
- grieves
- harasses
- rides
- piques
- oppresses
- smarts
- tyrannizes
- perturbs
- nettles
- pesters
- tries
- grates
- overpowers
- chafes
- agitates
- molests
- galls
- flusters
- pangs
- victimizes
- martyrs
- rasps
- pricks
- crushes
- smites
- gets
- wrings
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- aids
- helps
- assists
- contents
- relieves
- abets
- releases
- delivers
- comforts
- soothes
- consoles
- quiets
- solaces
- succors
- reprieves