agonize

verb

ag·​o·​nize ˈa-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce agonize (audio)
agonized; agonizing
Synonyms of agonizenext

transitive verb

: to cause to suffer agony : torture

intransitive verb

1
: to suffer agony, torture, or anguish
agonizes over every decision
2
: struggle

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of agonize in a Sentence

got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The outcome, in a package with a gross value of €30 billion ($33 billion) for 2025, ends weeks of government agonizing over how to reconcile a vow to accelerate Italy’s deficit cutting with the political necessity of meeting expensive election promises. —Kali Hays, Fortune Europe, 16 Oct. 2024 The Intel board agonized over the situation but followed management’s plan to maintain investment in R&D and build new factories. —Craig Barrett, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2024 Phillips said the experience of having his work changed, facing hostility from his supervisors and agonizing about whether and how to alert authorities was traumatic. —Sharon Lerner, ProPublica, 18 Sep. 2024 But even as Hope’s situation improved, Kotb agonized over the demands on her time. —Charlotte Triggs, People.com, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agonize 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French agoniser "to exercise, struggle, suffer, (in past participle agonisé) torment," borrowed from Medieval Latin agōnizāre "to struggle, suffer death pangs," going back to Late Latin, "to fight, wrestle," borrowed from Greek agōnízesthai "to contest, fight," verbal derivative of agṓn "assembly, contest" — more at agony

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of agonize was in 1570

Dictionary Entries Near agonize

agonistic

agonize

agonized

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonize. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

agonize

verb
ag·​o·​nize ˈag-ə-ˌnīz How to pronounce agonize (audio)
agonized; agonizing
: to suffer or cause to suffer extreme pain or anguish of body or mind
agonizingly
-ˌnī-ziŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on agonize

Nglish: Translation of agonize for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of agonize for Arabic Speakers

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