Definition of 'agonize'

Word Frequency

agonize

(ægənaɪz )

Word forms: 3rd person singular present tense agonizes , present participle agonizing , past tense, past participle agonized regional note: in BRIT, also use agonise

verb

If you agonize over something, you feel very anxious about it and spend a long time thinking about it.

Perhaps he was agonizing over the moral issues involved. [V + over/about]

She only made the decision to apply for training after years of agonizing. [VERB-ing]

[Also VERB]

Synonyms: suffer, labour, worry, struggle More Synonyms of agonize

Word Frequency

agonize in British

or agonise (ˈæɡəˌnaɪz )

verb

to suffer or cause to suffer agony

2. (intransitive)

to make a desperate effort; struggle; strive

Derived forms

agonizingly (ˈagoˌnizingly) or agonisingly (ˈagoˌnisingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'agonize'

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

Word Frequency

agonize in American

(ˈægəˌnaɪz ; agˈənīzˌ)

verb intransitiveWord forms: ˈagoˌnized or ˈagoˌnizing

to make convulsive efforts; struggle

to be in agony or great pain; feel anguish

verb transitive

to cause great pain to; torture

Derived forms

agonizing (ˈagoˌnizing)

adjective

agonizingly (ˈagoˌnizingly)

adverb

Word origin of 'agonize'

LL agonizare < Gr agōnizesthai, to contend for a prize < agōn, agon

Example sentences containing 'agonize'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

Nick, he used to agonize for two days before getting up the nerve to call you on the phone and invite you over for dinner. James Grippando A KING'S RANSOM (2001)

Trends of 'agonize'

Used Rarely. agonize is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

View usage for:

Translations for 'agonize'

British English: agonize VERB

If you agonize over something, you feel very anxious about it and spend a long time thinking about it.

Perhaps he was agonizing over the moral issues involved.

American English: agonize
Brazilian Portuguese: remoer
Chinese: 伤脑筋
European Spanish: inquietarse
French: se tourmenter
German: sich quälen
Italian: angosciarsi
Japanese: 悩む
Korean: 괴로워하다
European Portuguese: remoer
Spanish: inquietarse

Translate your text for free

Nearby words of 'agonize'

Source

Definition of agonize from the Collins English Dictionary

Modal verbs

Modal verbs are a particular kind of auxiliary. Look, I can do it!– Oh yes! So you can. Can I use your phone?– Of course you can. Do you think she will come?– I’m sure she will. I must ...