excruciate

[ ik-skroo-shee-eyt ]
/ ɪkˈskru ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used with object), ex·cru·ci·at·ed, ex·cru·ci·at·ing.

to inflict severe pain upon; torture: The headache excruciated him.
to cause mental anguish to; irritate greatly.

Origin of excruciate

1560–70; < Latin excruciātus, past participle of excruciāre to torment, torture, equivalent to ex- ex-1 + cruciāre to torment, crucify (derivative of crux cross); see -ate1

Example sentences from the Web for excruciate

  • But I need not excruciate you any longer;—any commands for town?

    Kate Vernon, Vol. 1 (of 3) |Mrs. Alexander
  • He will be vulgarly stuck up, and excruciate me with every French word he attempts to pronounce.

    Magnum Bonum |Charlotte M. Yonge

British Dictionary definitions for excruciate

excruciate
/ (ɪkˈskruːʃɪˌeɪt) /

verb (tr)

to inflict mental suffering on; torment
obsolete to inflict physical pain on; torture

Derived forms of excruciate

excruciation, noun

Word Origin for excruciate

C16: from Latin excruciāre, from cruciāre to crucify, from crux cross