'agonized' originates from the Greek word 'agonizesthai', where 'agon' meant 'contest' or 'struggle'.

'agonizesthai' transformed into the Latin word 'agonizare', and eventually became the modern English word 'agonize', with 'agonized' as its past tense and participle form.

Initially, it meant 'to compete or struggle', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to suffer or be in pain'.