completely agonizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely agonizing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an experience or situation that is intensely painful or distressing. Example: "The wait for the test results was completely agonizing, leaving me on edge for days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is our unique cultural phenomenon that the entire business world finds it acceptable for your day to be completely derailed agonizing over the fate of Butler and getting intimately acquainted with the field goal percentage of Robert Morris.

The New York Times

Sometimes we're completely wrong: We agonize over the use of a phrase that ends up prompting not even a peep, or readers find disrespect in something we thought innocuous.

Princeton University

And agonizing.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm agonizing here.

The New York Times

It wasn't agonizing.

The New York Times

The aftermath was agonizing.

The Washington Post

The wait was agonizing.

The New York Times - Arts

That is agonizing.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's agonizing.

The New York Times

Yet some moderates were agonizing.

The New York Times

The economists were always agonizing over this.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely agonizing" to express an experience that is not only painful but also exhaustive and overwhelming. Consider the emotional and physical toll when using this phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "completely agonizing" in situations that are mildly unpleasant. This phrase is best reserved for describing genuinely severe or traumatic experiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely agonizing" functions as an intensifier (completely) modifying an adjective (agonizing). According to Ludwig, this combination describes something causing intense pain or distress. It serves to emphasize the severity of the experience.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely agonizing" is a grammatically correct and intensifier, used to describe experiences of extreme pain or distress. As indicated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media, though it can also appear in academic or formal business contexts. While there are several alternatives, such as "utterly excruciating" or "absolutely unbearable", "completely agonizing" effectively conveys the severe nature of a situation. Use it judiciously to emphasize genuine suffering, and avoid overusing it in casual contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply agonizing

Substitutes "completely" with "deeply", giving a similar meaning.

utterly excruciating

Replaces "agonizing" with "excruciating" emphasizing severe pain.

perfectly excruciating

Substitutes "completely" with "perfectly", giving a similar meaning.

unreservedly torturous

Replaces "agonizing" with "torturous" suggesting a more prolonged suffering.

totally distressing

Shifts the focus to emotional upset rather than physical pain.

absolutely unbearable

Emphasizes the inability to endure the experience.

extremely painful

A more direct and literal description of the experience.

intensely traumatic

Highlights the potential for long-term psychological impact.

thoroughly harrowing

Focuses on the disturbing and frightening nature of the experience.

entirely devastating

Highlights the overwhelming and ruinous effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely agonizing" to describe a situation or experience that is extremely painful or distressing. For example: "The wait for news was "completely agonizing"."

What are some alternatives to saying "completely agonizing"?

Alternatives include "utterly excruciating", "totally distressing", or "absolutely unbearable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "completely agonizing", or should I use a different phrase?

The phrase "completely agonizing" is grammatically correct and understandable. However, consider whether the intensity of the phrase aligns with the situation you're describing. Other phrases might be more appropriate depending on the context.

What's the difference between "completely agonizing" and "deeply agonizing"?

While both phrases convey a high degree of distress, "completely agonizing" suggests a more exhaustive and overwhelming experience, whereas "deeply agonizing" focuses on the profound nature of the suffering.