agonize
verb (used without object)
to suffer extreme pain or anguish; be in agony.
were 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.
But stock investors were agonizing over what the Fed may say on Wednesday as it concludes a two-day meeting, and that has led to the big swings in prices this week.
From New York Times ● Jan. 25, 2022
The questions I had to ask this young girl were agonizing.
From Seattle Times ● May 24, 2019
Feinstein mentioned the death of her father and a close friend, which she said were agonizing.
From Washington Post ● Mar. 21, 2017
It is as if the Anglo-American Commission of 1946—the year of Lerman’s birth—were still holding hearings, and liberal organizations such as the American Jewish Committee were agonizing over whether to become Zionist supporters.
From The New Yorker ● Sep. 5, 2014
Pollard’s injuries, involving fragmented bones that ground together each time he moved, were agonizing, and medicine offered few practical solutions.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
