agonizing pain

USAGE SUMMARY

"agonizing pain" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to intense, excruciating, or unbearable physical or emotional discomfort. It can be used in various contexts, such as describing a person's experience, a medical condition, or a fictional character's suffering. Example: After the car accident, Jack was in agonizing pain from his broken leg and multiple bruises.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

When all else fails and your still in agonizing pain, use Zinc Oxide Cream.It helps to heal and soothe the painful bite.

WikiHow

Opponents of the paralytic chemical say it serves no legitimate purpose and may mask agonizing pain.

The New York Times

On television, heart attacks are portrayed in rather dramatic fashion — typically, an older man clutching his chest with agonizing pain.

Harvard University

The condition is characterized by an often agonizing pain in the buttocks or a leg or weakness in a leg.

The New York Times - Health

He was conscious to the very end, and I can say he did not meet his death in agonizing pain.

The New York Times

Despite pain-killing drugs, Mr. Pokorny was in agonizing pain, which intensified when his bandages were changed.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Looking back at it now, I don't think I would call it a game exactly, more like a gut-blowing, agonizing, pain-filled torture that makes childbirth look like a 30-minute Zumba session.

HuffPost

Pakistan's history is soaked in the blood of those who have -- and continue to -- suffer agonizing pains on the basis of their faith.

Huffington Post

A specialist in cranial nerve disorders, he was renowned in particular for having identified the minute culprit responsible for trigeminal neuralgia — a condition causing agonizing facial pain — and for developing a way to vanquish that culprit through microsurgery on the brain.

The New York Times - Science

6 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT (Discovery Health) BIRTH DAY LIVE -- This annual reality-programming event aims for new heights of intrusiveness by posing lame questions to women in agonizing labor pain, doctors busy guiding infants down the birth canal and panicked husbands obligated to be in the delivery room.

The New York Times

The sponge left inside the surgical patient, prompting weeks of mysterious, agonizing abdominal pain before the infection overcomes bodily functions.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agonizing pain" to vividly depict situations of intense physical or emotional suffering, ensuring the context aligns with the severity implied by the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "agonizing pain" to describe minor discomforts. This phrase is best reserved for scenarios involving truly extreme suffering to maintain its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agonizing pain" primarily functions as a descriptive element, emphasizing the extreme intensity of physical or emotional distress. Ludwig examples show it used to illustrate suffering from injuries, medical conditions, or emotional trauma.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agonizing pain" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe situations involving intense physical or emotional suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous real-world examples across diverse sources. Although the phrase is versatile, it is most commonly found in news, media, and academic contexts. When using "agonizing pain", it’s important to reserve it for truly severe suffering to maintain its impact, rather than diluting it on describing mild discomforts. Alternatives like "excruciating pain" or "intense suffering" can also be considered depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excruciating pain

Replaces "agonizing" with "excruciating", emphasizing the intensity of the pain.

unbearable pain

Focuses on the inability to tolerate the pain, rather than its specific quality.

torturous pain

Highlights the tormenting quality of the pain.

extreme agony

Replaces both words with synonyms to describe intense suffering.

crippling pain

Emphasizes the disabling effect of the pain.

intense suffering

Shifts the focus from physical pain to general suffering, which can include emotional distress.

unrelenting pain

Highlights the continuous nature of the pain.

debilitating pain

Focuses on the weakening effect of the pain.

severe discomfort

Uses more general terms to describe the pain, softening the intensity.

acute suffering

Combines 'acute' to emphasize the sharpness or severity and 'suffering' to broaden the scope beyond physical pain.

FAQs

How can I use "agonizing pain" in a sentence?

Use "agonizing pain" to describe a situation where someone experiences intense physical or emotional suffering. For instance, "After the surgery, she was in "agonizing pain", requiring strong medication."

What's a good alternative to "agonizing pain"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "excruciating pain", "unbearable pain", or "intense suffering" to convey a similar level of distress.

Is it appropriate to use "agonizing pain" in formal writing?

Yes, "agonizing pain" is suitable for formal writing when accurately describing severe suffering. However, ensure it aligns with the overall tone and purpose of your piece. Overusing it may diminish its impact.

What distinguishes "agonizing pain" from "discomfort"?

"Agonizing pain" describes a severe and often prolonged level of suffering, whereas "discomfort" implies a milder, less intense form of unease or physical distress. The former suggests a deeply troubling experience, while the latter is relatively minor.