1
as in to persecute
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to grieve
to feel deep sadness or mental pain
agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonize
The Canadian musician had agonized over writing the song in the first place.
—
NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
That doesn’t mean the Giants’ new manager didn’t agonize over his decision to leave the University of Tennessee.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
This is nail-biting stuff, agonizing to sit through.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025
The second is that the Big Tech platforms have, for years, begrudgingly agonized over content-moderation decisions.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
That doesn’t mean the Giants’ new manager didn’t agonize over his decision to leave the University of Tennessee.
—Laurence Miedema, Mercury News, 24 Oct. 2025
This is nail-biting stuff, agonizing to sit through.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 6 Oct. 2025
The second is that the Big Tech platforms have, for years, begrudgingly agonized over content-moderation decisions.
—Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize
Verb
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Branding peaceful protesters as ‘terrorists,’ and Christians that are persecuted every year as ‘Zionist mercenaries,’ is nothing but scapegoating.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Secret Agent’s primary setting is a house full of misfits and refugees in the northeastern city of Recife, a safe harbor from those persecuted by the country’s military regime, ruled over by the inimitable Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria, whose role was written specifically for her).—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While a celebratory mood spreads across the country, survivors of a deadly fire in Hong Kong are still grieving with little to celebrate, like this man who lost his wife in the blaze.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
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One of the other cheer moms who spoke with Fox News Digital confirmed there had been tensions among some parents but said the focus now is on the children grieving.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In recent years, neighborhoods ranging from Hancock Park and Lincoln Heights to Mar Vista and Pico Union have been plagued by copper wire theft that darkens the streets.—
Melissa Gomez,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Christie has been one of the most consistent Mavericks in a season plagued by inconsistency.—
Mike Curtis,
Dallas Morning News,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Navalny’s body was finally returned a week after his death, and thousands turned out to mourn him at a funeral in Moscow.—
Freddie Clayton,
NBC news,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Wiz Khalifa is mourning the loss of his father.—
Mitchell Peters,
Billboard,
14 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Loan defaults, foreclosures, and hotel property auctions due to distressed financing show that an array of ailments afflict the region’s lodging market.—
George Avalos,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
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Last year the Make-A-Wish Foundation flew Luke, who was afflicted with a rare life-threatening blood disorder in high school, to Denver to meet his hero.—
Taylor Antrim,
Vogue,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In the bitter New Hampshire night, my skull ached with tight, tectonic pressure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Lenderman tackled the title track at Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, Montana, in October 2022, performing an aching 12-minute rendition.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
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According to court records, Quero Silva is defending himself against the new federal lawsuit accusing him of torturing the protestors in Barquisimeto.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
13 Feb. 2026
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Her husband says she has been tortured after her arrest.—
Somayeh Malekian,
ABC News,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Dejan Furtula sighed with despair while looking at construction machines working around the clock to remove tons of trash clogging the Drina River near his hometown of Visegrad, in eastern Bosnia.—
Eldar Emric,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
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Twice thwarted, Beth sighs, says yes, and gets on with the business of living.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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