AGONIZE Synonyms: 136 Similar and Opposite Words

agonize

verb

ˈa-gə-ˌnīz

Definition of agonize

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agonize Granted, not as agonizing as a Cleveland Browns fan watching the team’s quarterback competition play out in training camp, but agonizing nonetheless. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026 During deliberation, Commissioner Martinez openly agonized over Kissimmee’s dilemma. — Sara-James Ranta, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026 Samuel agonized the most after getting hit on a screen at the 5-yard line, apparently as his funny bone shot pain through his left arm. — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2026 In college, players, coaches and fans agonize over wins and losses. — Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for agonize

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize

Verb

His Federal Communications Commission has persecuted TV networks and sought to muzzle late-night comedians who bruise the president’s ever-so-fragile feelings.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
The Paxton campaign decried the reporting, without denying it, while saying he had been politically persecuted.

— Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

In this contemporary fantasy, grieving daughter Hattie returns to Seattle for the first time in the two years since her mother’s death.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Nov. 2026
In Birmingham, the mayor said, people can be united in grieving and seeking justice while still celebrating the classic football game, where Woodfin had posted pictures of himself Saturday evening.

— Eduardo Cuevas, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of grieve

Verb

Neighbors, who had previously reported being plagued by the nuisance animal for months, were shocked to see the same coyote appearing in their yards and approaching them in the street.

— Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2026
Sánchez's family has also been plagued by corruption scandals.

— Natalie Feary, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

As the community mourns a Lakewood police agent killed in the line of duty, CBS Colorado is learning more about the suspect accused of killing him and his lengthy criminal history.

— Olivia Young, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
Eight years after the death of Anthony Bourdain, people around the world still mourn the beloved chef, author and TV star.

— Charles Maynes, NPR, 6 Nov. 2026

Definition of mourn

Verb

More than two years later, the neighborhoods most afflicted by gun violence are still waiting, and mystery surrounds a process that should have been straightforward.

— The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 10 Nov. 2026
Tarantism mostly afflicted impoverished individuals, particularly women (tarantatas).

— Laura Kiniry, Popular Science, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of afflict

Verb

The angst and anguish and the ability to come up with a damn good hook are still there, even if the pressures and the stress of adulthood have taken on aching new heights.

— Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
Some women develop aching joints, headaches or pelvic pain seemingly out of the blue during perimenopause, or the menopausal transition, while others find that existing chronic pain conditions become harder to manage.

— Cheyenne Buckingham, Washington Post, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of ache

Verb

Pike and her boyfriend tortured and stabbed a 19-year-old classmate, Colleen Slemmer, to death in 1995.

— CBS News, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2026
In a truly horrifying scene, Sauron tortures a nice Elf couple into supplying some additional information on Marnûkh via poison and the false promise of an antidote.

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 11 Nov. 2026

Definition of torture

Verb

The reason this sandwich has won my heart more than others in the city is the torpedo of bread they’re tucked into, which sighs and crackles, an entire universe of complexity and depth in its crumb.

— Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
When football fans saw three straight Primetime games on the NFL schedule for the Atlanta Falcons, there were some social media eye rolls, sighs and more, and who could blame them?

— Scott Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of sigh

Browse Nearby Words

agonistic

agonize

agonized

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“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of agonize

verb

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