agonized

[ ag-uh-nahyzd ]

adjective

1. involving or accompanied by agony or severe struggle:

   an agonized effort.

Other Words From

• ag·o·niz·ed·ly [ag, -, uh, -nahy-zid-lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of agonized¹

First recorded in 1575–85; agonize + -ed ²

Example Sentences

He’s agonized through the gruesome checklist of injuries so many fighters slog through over their arduous careers such as cracked hands, a busted nose.

From Seattle Times

Terrified students inside the classroom called 911 as agonized parents begged officers — some of whom could hear shots being fired while they stood in a hallway — to go in.

From Seattle Times

Many Jewish students agonized anew over some protests and chants that veered into antisemitism, and feared again for their safety.

From New York Times

Johnson, a Republican, has agonized for weeks over whether and how to advance critical aid for Ukraine over stiff resistance from the far right faction of his conference.

From New York Times

At times, some of them agonized over the great gulf between their words, ideals, and actions.

From Literature

Related Words

• appalling
• awful
• calamitous
• deplorable
• disappointing
• disastrous
• dreadful
• feeble
• grim
• lamentable
• lousy
• miserable
• paltry
• pathetic
• pitiful
• shocking
• sorry
• wretched