Agonize
Pronunciation
Alternative forms
Origin
From French agoniser, from Late Latin agonizare, from Ancient Greek ἀγωνίζομαι (agonizomai, "to fight, contend"). See agony.
Full definition of agonize
Verb
- (intransitive) To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.
- Alexander Pope:To smart and agonize at every pore.
- (intransitive) To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately.
- 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.