agonized

[ ag-uh-nahyzd ]

/ ˈæg əˌnaɪzd /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR agonized ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

involving or accompanied by agony or severe struggle: an agonized effort.

Nearby words

agonic, agonic line, agonist, agonistic, agonize, agonized, agonizing, agony, agony aunt, agony column, agony uncle

Origin of agonized

First recorded in 1575–85; agonize + -ed²

Related forms

ag·o·niz·ed·ly

[ag-uh-nahy-zid-lee] /ˈæg əˌnaɪ zɪd li/, adverb

Definition for agonized (2 of 2)

agonize

[ ag-uh-nahyz ]

/ ˈæg əˌnaɪz /

verb (used without object), ag·o·nized, ag·o·niz·ing.

to suffer extreme pain or anguish; be in agony.

to put forth great effort of any kind.

verb (used with object), ag·o·nized, ag·o·niz·ing.

to distress with extreme pain; torture.

Also especially British, ag·o·nise.

Origin of agonize

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for agonized

Most important, he was a mother figure—he cared for them, reassured them, agonized on them, nagged them, even wept for them.
What It Was Like to Watch the Beatles Become the Beatles—Nik Cohn Remembers|Nik Cohn|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Announcement videos are agonized over internally, so a bit of close-reading can be revealing.
Tim Pawlenty's Obstacle Course|John Avlon|March 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
As President Barack Obama plays an agonized Hamlet over Afghanistan, the ice is cracking beneath his feet on Capitol Hill.
With Friends Like These|Martin Sieff|October 7, 2009|DAILY BEAST
She asked the agonized question at the moment her head and shoulders appeared above the roof.
The Campers Out|Edward S. Ellis

About midnight the expected change, which Eugene in agonized sympathy was awaiting, arrived.
The "Genius"|Theodore Dreiser
The head stretched out its long neck and sent an agonized glance toward her.
The Madigans|Miriam Michelson
Anne read hers that bitter night, as she kept her agonized vigil through the hours of storm and darkness.
Anne Of The Island|Lucy Maud Montgomery
Streams of liquid jetted out, and their agonized cries followed.
Police Your Planet|Lester del Rey

British Dictionary definitions for agonized

agonize

agonise

/ (ˈæɡəˌnaɪz) /

verb

to suffer or cause to suffer agony

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

Derived Forms

agonizingly or agonisingly, adverb

Word Origin for agonize

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012