Agonize — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈa-gə-ˌnīz/ ag·o·nize

Meaning & Definition of Agonize

Agonize (verb)

  1. to cause to suffer agony, torture
  2. to suffer agony, torture, or anguish
  3. struggle

Agonize (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause persistent suffering to

    "got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother"

    similar: afflict, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture
    related: assail, attack, badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride, aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique, put out, rasp, rile, vex, discomfort, discompose, disquiet, fluster, grieve, perturb, strain, stress, trouble, try, upset, worry, crush, oppress, overpower, overwhelm, smite, strike, tyrannize, victimize, hurt, pain, pang, prick, smart, stab, sting, wring, martyr
    near: abet, aid, assist, help, deliver, release, relieve, reprieve, comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor

  2. to feel deep sadness or mental pain

    "agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing"

    similar: anguish, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, sorrow, suffer, eat one's heart out, tear one's hair
    related: ache, long (for), pine (away), sigh, smart, rack, torment, torture, bemoan, bewail, deplore, lament, rue, bawl, blubber, cry, groan, howl, keen, moan, sob, take on, wail, weep, yammer, yowl, languish, regret
    near: beam, cheer, crow, delight, exult, glory, joy, laugh, ravish, rejoice, triumph, assure, comfort, commiserate, console, reassure, solace, soothe, sympathize

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Agonize

The most common words with a similar meaning to Agonize:

afflict, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute, plague, rack, torment, torture, bleed, grieve, hurt, mourn, sorrow, suffer, eat one's heart out, tear one's hair

Related Words for Agonize

assail, attack, badger, dog, hound, pursue, ride, aggravate, agitate, annoy, bother, bug, chafe, distress, disturb, exasperate, gall, get, grate, gripe, hagride, harass, harry, irk, irritate, molest, nettle, peeve, pester, pique

Near Antonyms of Agonize

abet, aid, assist, help, deliver, release, relieve, reprieve, comfort, console, content, quiet, solace, soothe, succor, beam, cheer, crow, delight, exult, glory, joy, laugh, ravish, rejoice, triumph, assure, commiserate, reassure, sympathize

Word Forms of Agonize

Inflections: agonized, agonizing

Origin & Etymology of Agonize

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" agony

First known use: 1570i

Frequently Asked Questions about Agonize

What does "Agonize" mean?

"Agonize" means to cause to suffer agony, torture. As a verb, it is defined as: to cause to suffer agony, torture. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Agonize"?

Other words for "Agonize" include afflict, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate and harrow. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Agonize" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Agonize"?

There are 106 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Agonize". Common alternatives include afflict, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege, curse, excruciate, harrow, persecute and plague.

How do you use "Agonize" in a sentence?

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".

Is "Agonize" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Agonize" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Agonize"?

"Agonize" is pronounced /ˈa-gə-ˌnīz/ and divided into syllables as ag·o·nize.

What is the origin of the word "Agonize"?

"Agonize" comes from 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" agony. First known use: 1570i.

What is another word for "Agonize" meaning "to cause persistent suffering to"?

When "Agonize" (verb) means to cause persistent suffering to, synonyms include afflict, anguish, bedevil, beset, besiege and curse.