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'

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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)