Agonize Meaning
/ˈæɡ.ɪ.naɪz/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.
verbTo struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately, whether mentally or physically.
Sentence Examples
You just messed up once. You don't need to agonize over it.
I hope we didn't agonize over this decision for nothing.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
He would ____ over each small mistake until he felt sick.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In American English, many writers spell the verb as '____'.
Word Origin & History
From French agoniser, from Late Latin agonizare, from Ancient Greek ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnízomai, “to fight, contend”). See agony. By surface analysis, agon + -ize.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"His Touch, if tremblingly alive all o’er, / To smart, and agonize at ev’ry pore?"
— 1733, [Alexander Pope], An Essay on Man. […], epistle I, London: […] J[ohn] Wilford, […], →OCLC, page 13, lines 223–24:
"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."
— [1898], J[ohn] Meade Falkner, Moonfleet, London; Toronto, Ont.: Jonathan Cape, published 1934, →OCLC:
"That dreadful bill […] was one of the chief torments of her life. At all hours of the night or day it was waiting just round the corner of her consciousness, ready to spring upon her and agonise her […]"
— 1935, George Orwell, A Clergyman’s Daughter, page 8:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
He would ____ over each small mistake until he felt sick.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
In American English, many writers spell the verb as '____'.