agonizingly
|ag-o-niz-ing-ly|
C1
🇺🇸
/ˈæɡəˌnaɪzɪŋli/
🇬🇧
/ˈæɡənaɪzɪŋli/
(agonizing)
intense pain or distress
Etymology
Etymology Information
'agonizingly' originates from the word 'agonize,' which comes from the Greek word 'agōnizesthai,' where 'agōn' meant 'contest' or 'struggle.'
Historical Evolution
'agōnizesthai' transformed into the Latin word 'agonizare,' and eventually became the modern English word 'agonize' through Middle English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'to struggle or compete,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to suffer intense pain or distress.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that causes great physical or mental pain.
She waited agonizingly for the test results.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/01 14:54
