agonize

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From French agoniser, from Late Latin agonizare, from Ancient Greek ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnízomai, to fight, contend). See agony.

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /ˈæ.ɡən.aɪz/

Verb

agonize (third-person singular simple present agonizes, present participle agonizing, simple past and past participle agonized)

  1. (intransitive) To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.
  2. (intransitive) To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately, whether mentally or physically.
    • 1898, J. Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, chapter 3:
      So I took a last stare round, agonizing to see if there was any way of escape; but the stone walls and roof were solid enough to crush me, and the stack of casks too closely packed to hide more than a rat.

Translations

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