agonizante
/aɡoniˈθante/
The English word "agonizing" can be translated into Spanish as agonizante or terrible.
Meaning: causing agony (adj)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| agonizante | /aɡoniˈθante/ /aɡoniˈsante/ |
| terrible | /teˈrible/ |
agonizante carries a specific nuance related to the end of life.
Which one should you use?
Agonizante can mean "agonizing" in terms of pain, but it is very frequently used to mean "dying" or "in the throes of death."
How do you pronounce it?
/aɡoniˈθante/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use agonizante to mean "extremely painful," but in Spanish, it more often describes someone who is currently in the process of dying.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word agonizante traces back to the Ancient Greek word agōn, which referred to a public contest or struggle, such as in an athletic or theatrical arena.
- In Spanish, the verb agonizar describes the physiological process of dying, whereas in English, 'to agonize' usually means to dwell on a decision or suffer mentally.
- The word agonizante is closely linked to the concept of la agonía, which in Spanish refers specifically to the period of time between the onset of death and the end of life.
Examples in context
- Entre los turistas sudorosos y las agonizantes palomas, París, durante el verano, ¡es terriblemente elegante!Between the sweating tourists and the agonizing pigeons, Paris, during the summer, is madly elegant!This sentence shows the use of terrible in a descriptive context.Tatoeba #5600462 by albrusgher, translation #1745542 by belgavox
- El lento progreso del proyecto me produce angustiaThe slow progress of the project produces distress within me
- La espera fue dolorosa e interminableThe wait was painful and endless
- Ella experimentó una crisis penosa tras la pérdida de su trabajoShe went through a distressing crisis after losing her job
- La espera en la fila fue angustianteThe wait in line was distressing
- Las tareas monótonas pueden volverse desesperantesMonotonous tasks can become excruciating
- Siento un dolor agonizante en la espalda.I feel an agonizing pain in my back.
- Fue una espera agonizante para todos.It was an agonizing wait for everyone.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are waiting for important exam results.
- SofíaLos resultados tardan mucho en salir.The results are taking a long time to come out.
- AlejandroSí, esta incertidumbre es agonizante.Yes, this uncertainty is agonizing.
- SofíaEspero que hayamos aprobado, Alejandro.I hope we passed, Alejandro.
- AlejandroYo también, Sofía. Qué nervios.I do too, Sofía. I'm so nervous.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “agonizing” translations and entries agonizante, terrible, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries agonizante, terrible, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
