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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonize
Cassidy agonized about supporting Kennedy’s confirmation due to his record of anti-vaccine views, but ultimately cast the deciding vote for the nomination to advance out of committee after receiving assurances about vaccine policy.
—
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Playoff roster decisions are agonizing for every Major League Baseball front office, but the Toronto Blue Jays are dealing with some particularly tough calls this year.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
A day before Donna Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot to kill her former son-in-law, the 75-year-old woman agonized over whether to testify in her defense in a Tallahassee, Florida, courtroom.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Even those plot points feel a bit dated, with Ivy’s ascent as a food star marked by hobnobbing with David Chang, and Theo agonizing over remixes and GIFs of his anguish.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 17 Sep. 2025
Playoff roster decisions are agonizing for every Major League Baseball front office, but the Toronto Blue Jays are dealing with some particularly tough calls this year.
—Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
A day before Donna Adelson was convicted of first-degree murder for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot to kill her former son-in-law, the 75-year-old woman agonized over whether to testify in her defense in a Tallahassee, Florida, courtroom.
—Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Even those plot points feel a bit dated, with Ivy’s ascent as a food star marked by hobnobbing with David Chang, and Theo agonizing over remixes and GIFs of his anguish.
—Katie Walsh, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize
Verb
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German far-right influencer applies for asylum in US A prominent far-right German activist and influencer is seeking political asylum in the US, arguing she is being persecuted at home for her beliefs.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
11 Nov. 2025
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Langkawi, Malaysia Reuters — The number of people confirmed dead after a boat carrying members of Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya community sank near the Thailand-Malaysia border rose to 11 on Monday, authorities said, with about 70 people believed to have been on board the capsized vessel.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Among those grieving is Karen Taylor Bass.—
Karen Taylor Bass,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
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However, the tale of a grieving husband and father quickly unraveled as Murdaugh’s laundry list of financial crimes – and elaborate cover-up schemes – against his legal clients came to light.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Those three couples represent a range of partnerships, from young, recently separated parents that are hoping for a reconciliation to longterm partners intent to work through the issues that plague such unions (think power, recognition, respect, money and more).—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
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Quarterback Dart and running back Skattebo have been plagued by injuries during their rookie seasons, and Daboll has been unable to find consistency in his offense.—
Thomas Schlachter,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Few around Toronto will mourn the loss of Primeau on waivers to the Hurricanes.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Dolphins in the wild have been known to mourn the loss of their young, with one grieving dolphin mother carrying the body of her deceased calf for days off the coast of New Zealand in 2019.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Eaton and Palisades Fires afflicted every class and demographic group.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
10 Nov. 2025
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Illness and job losses left Allen Gray vulnerable to a problem that afflicts thousands of Cincinnati seniors.—
Dan Horn,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Nov. 2025
Verb
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What begins as a casual conversation about the weather and aching hips gradually deepens into an unexpected friendship – and perhaps something more.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
7 Nov. 2025
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Listeria infection also causes fever, muscle aches, and tiredness.—
McClatchy Media,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After female marches, which became iconic in the Belarusian revolution 2020, of course, the regime started to arrest women too and torture them too, the same as men.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Nov. 2025
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Daniel is just one of an unknown number of migrants who are currently being tortured on a near daily basis, somewhere in Libya’s Sahara Desert.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Rothbauer, the bartender, sighs.—
Elisabeth Garber-Paul,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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Affleck sighs and rolls her eyes.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.
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