1. relating to or occurring at the moment of death; associated with the struggle or agony of dying
Usage: medical/technical term; formal
2. relating to a struggle or contest; involving intense effort or conflict
Usage: rare; literary

Examples

• The patient's agonal breathing indicated that death was imminent.
• Doctors monitored the agonal phase carefully to ensure the patient's comfort.
• Agonal gasps are involuntary respiratory movements that can occur after brain death.
• The agonal struggle between the two competitors lasted several rounds.
• Medical staff documented the agonal period in the patient's chart.