What is described as extremely painful?

The term "excruciating" specifically denotes a level of pain that is not only severe but overwhelming and intense to the point of being almost unbearable. It evokes a strong emotional response and suggests a type of pain that affects both physical and psychological states. When describing pain in a clinical context, "excruciating" is often used to provide a vivid illustration of how debilitating the discomfort can be.

While the words "agonizing," "severe," and "intense" also convey substantial levels of pain, they do not capture the extreme nature of the pain as effectively as "excruciating" does. "Agonizing" suggests a level of suffering, but "excruciating" takes it a step further into the realm of pain that is often depicted as harsh or torturous. "Severe" indicates a high degree of seriousness or magnitude but lacks the emotional weight often associated with pain. "Intense" essentially describes a high level of something, which could apply to a variety of situations, not solely in reference to pain. Thus, "excruciating" stands out as the most precise descriptor for extremely painful sensations.