agonized

[ ag-uh-nahyzd ]

/ ˈæg əˌnaɪzd /

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adjective

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

QUIZ

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Question 1 of 9

Which of the following nouns has an irregular plural form?

Origin of agonized

First recorded in 1575–85; agonize + -ed²

ag·o·niz·ed·ly

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

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
To do this she went through a lot of protracted squatting motions, with appropriately agonized expressions.
Kevin Spacey on Casino Jack|Kevin Sessums|December 14, 2010|DAILY BEAST
Fowler reportedly agonized for days about whether to post and release the comments.
"Bittergate"|David Plouffe|November 3, 2009|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
The gnarled hands shut up into clenched fists, and the feeble voice trailed off in an agonized moan.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
As she twisted his great red ear, the agonized cries of Johnny became heartrending.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Her face, haggard, restless with the quivering of her agonized nerves, was as a wild book for him to read.
The Creators|May Sinclair
He replied to her agonized questioning that, yes, it might be possible, with infinite precaution and incessant care.
The Creators|May Sinclair
He half feared to look upon his work; to see Susan's face agonized under his blow.
It Is Never Too Late to Mend|Charles Reade