agonize
verb (used without object)
to suffer extreme pain or anguish; be in agony.
was agonizing
-
past progressiveof agonize.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I was agonizing over whether to claim at 62 or wait until 70.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
But grappling with the dilemma of who he would chose as his wife was agonizing.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2025
When my mum was dying and I was agonizing over not having done enough, someone said, “It’s an intolerable situation, and you showed up every day, and that’s love.”
From Washington Post ● Feb. 17, 2023
“It was agonizing to see my dad in that much pain.”
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2022
But the wait was agonizing, and she rushed back to the hospital.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
