agonize
gb/ˈæɡənˌaɪz/ us/ˈæɡənˌaɪz/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
Verb
C1
action
1
worry intensely about something
To worry a lot and find it hard to decide.
Usage pattern:
agonize over/about [a decision/choice/problem]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *agonize* for mild worry; it usually suggests very strong worry or difficulty deciding.
Synonyms
fret (Suggests persistent, nervous worry, often about smaller things.)
|
worry (More general and often less intense than agonize.)
|
obsess (Emphasizes repeated thoughts; may not always include distress.)
Antonyms
relax (To stop feeling anxious and become calm.)
|
decide (To reach a choice instead of remaining torn.)
Collocations
agonize over a decision
|agonize over a choice
|agonize over what to do
|agonize over whether to [do something]
|agonize over every detail
|agonize about the future
|agonize about the consequences
|agonize over a mistake
|agonize over how to respond
|agonize about what to say
Themes
emotions
|decision_making
|daily_life
Examples
- She agonized over whether to quit her job or stay another year.
- I agonized for days about what to write in the email.
- They were still agonizing over the final details of the plan.
Learner examples
- I agonized over my decision.
- She is agonizing about what to do.
Verb
C1
state
2
suffer extreme physical pain
To be in very strong pain.
Usage pattern:
agonize in/with [pain]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse *agonize* (verb) with *agony* (noun) or *agonizing* (adjective).
Synonyms
suffer (More general; does not always imply extreme intensity.)
|
writhe (Emphasizes twisting or squirming because of pain.)
|
ache (Usually weaker and more steady than agonize.)
Antonyms
feel comfortable (To have little or no pain.)
|
recover (To improve after illness or injury and suffer less.)
Collocations
agonize in pain
|agonize with pain
|agonize for hours
|agonize in silence
|agonize after surgery
|agonize with cramps
|agonize with a headache
|agonize from an injury
Themes
health
|body
|emotions
Examples
- He lay on the floor, agonizing in pain after the fall.
- She was still agonizing with cramps late into the night.
- The patient agonized for hours before the medicine took effect.
Learner examples
- He is agonizing in pain.
- My leg hurts, and I am agonizing.
Verb
C1
action
3
cause someone great distress
To make someone feel very upset or worried.
Usage pattern:
[something] agonizes [someone]; it agonizes [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
This transitive use is less common than ‘agonize over/about’ and is often used with ‘it agonizes me to…’.
Synonyms
torment (Often stronger and can suggest ongoing cruelty or relentless mental pain.)
|
distress (More formal and less dramatic than agonize.)
|
trouble (Usually milder; may not imply deep anguish.)
Antonyms
comfort (To help someone feel less upset or worried.)
|
reassure (To reduce worry by giving confidence.)
Collocations
it agonizes me to think
|the thought agonized him
|agonize a parent
|agonize someone with guilt
|what agonized her most
|the decision agonized him
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|daily_life
Examples
- It agonized her to leave her dog behind.
- The uncertainty about his safety agonized his family.
- What agonized me most was not knowing how to help.
Learner examples
- It agonized me to say goodbye.
- The news agonized him.
Verb
C2
action
4
struggle painfully to do something
To try extremely hard, like it hurts.
Usage pattern:
agonize to [do something]
Common mistake:
This use is less common and can sound dramatic; often ‘struggle’ or ‘strain’ is more natural.
Synonyms
struggle (More common and less dramatic.)
|
strain (Emphasizes physical or mental effort to the limit.)
|
labor (Suggests slow, difficult effort over time.)
Antonyms
glide (To move or progress easily and smoothly.)
|
breeze (Informal: to do something easily.)
Collocations
agonize to the finish
|agonize through the last mile
|agonize to reach the top
|agonize through the final minutes
Themes
work
|sports
|daily_life
Examples
- He agonized up the hill, exhausted and short of breath.
- The runner agonized to the finish line after pulling a muscle.
- They agonized through the last few minutes of the match.
Learner examples
- He agonized to the finish.
Grammar
Dictionary form
agonize
IPA
GB/ˈæɡənˌaɪz/
US/ˈæɡənˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
ag - on - ize (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ag)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: agonize
- 3rd Person Singular: agonizes
- Present Participle: agonizing
- Past: agonized
Word family
Forms
agonizes
verb
agonizing
verb
agonized
verb
Core family
agony
noun B2
agonizingly
adverb
Expressions
agonize about
1/ˈæɡənˌaɪz əbˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
worry intensely about something
To worry a lot about something.
Examples
- She agonized about what her parents would think.
- I used to agonize about making a mistake at work.
- Don’t agonize about it—nothing bad happened.
agonize in pain
1/ˈæɡənˌaɪz ˈɪn pˈeɪn/
fixed phrase
suffer extreme physical pain
To be in very strong pain.
Examples
- He was agonizing in pain until the ambulance arrived.
- The dog lay in the corner, agonizing in pain after the accident.
- She spent the night agonizing in pain before she saw a doctor.
agonize over
1/ˈæɡənˌaɪz ˈoʊvɚ/
phrasal verb
worry intensely about a decision
To worry a lot about a choice or problem.
Examples
- Stop agonizing over the wording and just send the message.
- He agonized over whether to accept the offer.
- They agonized over the decision for weeks.
don't agonize over it
1/dˈoʊnt ˈæɡənˌaɪz ˈoʊvɚ ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
stop worrying so much
Don’t worry about it too much.
Examples
- Don’t agonize over it—you can always change your mind later.
- Don’t agonize over it; just pick one and move on.
- If you make a small mistake, don’t agonize over it.
it agonizes me to think (that)...
1/ˈɪt ˈæɡənˌaɪzɪz mˈi tə θˈɪŋk ðˈæt |/
fixed phrase
something causes deep distress
It makes me feel very upset to think about it.
Examples
- It agonizes me to think that he felt alone.
- It agonized her to think she might have caused the problem.
- It agonizes us to think of people sleeping outside in winter.