ˈagəˌnīz, ˈaig- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: Middle French agoniser to be in agony, from Late Latin agonizare, from Greek agōnizesthai, from agōnia agony — more at agony
transitive verb
: to cause to suffer agony : torture
he agonized himself with the thought — Aldous Huxley
intransitive verb
1. : to suffer agony or torture : be in great pain or anguish
who agonized and prayed and yet could not secure release from their guilt — Lillian Smith
2. : to try desperately : struggle
strive to do and agonize to do and fail in doing — Robert Browning
Synonyms: see writhe