agonize

verb

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

transitive verb

: to cause to suffer agony : torture

intransitive verb

1
: to suffer agony, torture, or anguish
agonizes over every decision
2
: struggle
… baseless wisdom … requires that a writer … must agonize … for a minimum of two years for each one that he spends writing.—George V. Higgins

Synonyms of agonize

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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.
During deliberation, Commissioner Martinez openly agonized over Kissimmee’s dilemma. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Samuel agonized the most after getting hit on a screen at the 5-yard line, apparently as his funny bone shot pain through his left arm. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026 After a calendar year of agonizing over their list, Forton was finally able to exhale at the end of the night. — Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 27 July 2026 In college, players, coaches and fans agonize over wins and losses. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 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

Rhymes for agonize

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Browse Nearby Words

agonistic
agonize
agonized
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Cite this Entry

“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agonize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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