WordGarden.ioagonize
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈæɡənˌaɪz/
US
- /ˈæɡəˌnaɪz/
Meanings
Verb
to worry intensely over a difficult choice or situation
to suffer intense pain or emotional distress
Beyond the definition
Have you ever spent hours tossing and turning at night, replaying a difficult situation in your head? That's agonizing! To agonize over something is to worry about it intensely, often feeling pain or distress while trying to make a tough choice. It is more than just being concerned; it implies deep mental suffering.
Think of the word "agony"—that sharp, intense pain. To agonize is to experience that kind of turmoil mentally. You might agonize over a big life decision, like whether to move to a new city or accept a job offer. You can also agonize over small details, obsessing about getting everything perfect. It is rarely used for simple, fleeting worries; it suggests a truly difficult internal struggle.
To agonize means to undergo great mental anguish, usually while struggling with a difficult decision or situation. It goes beyond simply worrying—it implies a deep and prolonged period of suffering or torment. The word comes from the Greek "agon," meaning a contest or struggle, hinting at the internal battle taking place in your mind.
You will most often use the word with the preposition over. For example: "She agonized over whether to tell her friend the truth." This means she wrestled with the decision, feeling intense distress and uncertainty. You might also hear people "agonize about" a problem.
While it is most commonly used to describe mental struggles, it can occasionally refer to physical suffering. For instance, a person might "agonize" in a hospital bed, though it is more common to say they are "in agony."
Unlike simply being stressed or anxious, agonizing suggests a deeper level of emotional turmoil. It is a word reserved for experiences that feel like a form of torture. So, if you find yourself caught in a cycle of intense worry, weighing pros and cons until it hurts, you are agonizing.
Examples
- 1
Career decision
She agonized over whether to move to another city for work.
- Patternagonize over whether to + verb
worry for a long time while deciding if you should do it
- 2
Personal messages
I always agonize over what to write in birthday cards.
- 3
Medical waiting
The family agonized as they waited outside the operating room.
- 4
Interview worry
Don't agonize about one awkward moment in the interview.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Party planning
We spent all evening agonizing over the guest list instead of enjoying the party.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- agonizeverb
Forms
- agonizing-ing formverb
- agonizedpast tenseverb
- agonizesverb