How to pronounce excruciating
Say it like ik-SKROO-shee-ay-ting. Excruciating has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce excruciating. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ik
- SKROO
- shee
- ay
- ting
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Excruciating pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- SKROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- sheeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- ayGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- tingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of excruciating
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: ik-SKROO-shee-ay-ting.
What does excruciating mean?
- Causing great pain or anguish, agonizing
- Exceedingly intense; extreme
Where does excruciating come from?
Present participle of excruciate, from Latin excruciō, from ex- + cruciō (“to torment”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying excruciating
How do you pronounce excruciating?
Say ik-SKROO-shee-ay-ting. The American pronunciation is /ɪkˈskruʃiˌeɪtɪŋ/. In British English it is /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in excruciating?
Excruciating has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SKROO). Broken into parts: ik · SKROO · shee · ay · ting.
Is excruciating pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ɪkˈskruːʃieɪtɪŋ/ (ik-SKROO-shee-ay-ting).