The word "cruciations" is quite rare and specific, meaning the infliction of intense physical or mental suffering or torture. However, there are some possible synonyms that can convey similar meanings, such as agony, torment, anguish, affliction, persecution, ordeal, misery, hardship, tribulation, and adversity. These words can refer to various forms of distress, ranging from emotional pain to physical trauma, and can be used in different contexts and shades of meaning. Depending on the context, the choice of synonyms can shift the emphasis on different aspects of the experience of suffering, such as its cause, intensity, duration, or impact.