agonize

Definition

To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.

Etymology

From French agoniser, from Late Latin agonizare, from Ancient Greek ἀγωνίζομαι (agōnízomai, “to fight, contend”). See agony.

Example Sentences

• "His Touch, if tremblingly alive all o’er, / To smart, and agonize at ev’ry pore?"
• "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."
• "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 […]"

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