agonize

especially British, ag·o·nise

[ag-uh-nahyz]

verb (used without object)

agonized, agonizing 

1. to suffer extreme pain or anguish; be in agony.

2. to put forth great effort of any kind.

verb (used with object)

agonized, agonizing 

1. to distress with extreme pain; torture.

agonize

/ ˈæɡəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to suffer or cause to suffer agony

2. (intr) to make a desperate effort; struggle; strive

Other Word Forms

• agonizingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonize¹

1575–85; < Medieval Latin agōnizāre < Greek agōnízesthai to struggle (for a prize), equivalent to agōn- agon + -izesthai -ize

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonize¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Greek agōnizesthai to contend for a prize, from agōn _agon

Example Sentences

The most immediate conclusion is that it might be OK to stop agonizing about skipping that long haul to Dubuque this holiday season.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Her expression of intense, agonizing curiosity said the rest, as did the excited way she pranced in place and the soundless giggles that she carefully muffled with her free hand.

Read more on Literature

“Hadar’s return provides some measure of comfort to a family that has lived with agonizing uncertainty and doubt for over 11 years,” the Hostages Families Forum, an advocacy group, said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Blue Jays manager John Schneider vowed his team would be ready to bounce back despite the agonizing loss.

Read more on Barron's

When a film so agonizing is immediately followed by empty, uninformative clickbait articles asking “where are they now” questions about still-grieving children, one has to wonder where the line is.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• disturb 
• excruciate 
• harrow 
• lament