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

But writing it, reconciling with his past, would prove pretty agonizing in its own right.

From Los Angeles Times

The long, and for some of us agonizing, wait is over for the best spy drama on TV.

From Los Angeles Times

“That’s what agonized him so much — that when you record things, they are forever.”

From Los Angeles Times

Rather than agonize over how to restore the landscape to some former, unobtainable baseline of “natural,” officials unanimously agreed that this bold re-imagining of the coast was the best way forward among no perfect options.

From Los Angeles Times

That triggered another fraught process as board members agonized over the structure of a deal that would reward rank-and-file shareholders — not just the Redstones.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disturb 
• excruciate 
• harrow 
• lament