as in weeping
expressing or suggesting mourning
one look at his agonized, tearful eyes and it was clear that something was terribly wrong
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plagued
to cause persistent suffering to
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieved
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 agonized
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
After the long commerical break that cohost Julianne Hough made an agonized Fishel and Pashkov wait through to receive their scores, they were relieved to earn a 29, from three 7s and Tonioli's 8.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025
Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2025
The Canadian musician had agonized over writing the song in the first place.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonized
Adjective
Instead, his agonized facial expressions, brought on by an overwhelming vampiric thirst, come across like a bad impersonation of a food allergy.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025
After the long commerical break that cohost Julianne Hough made an agonized Fishel and Pashkov wait through to receive their scores, they were relieved to earn a 29, from three 7s and Tonioli's 8.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Oct. 2025
Verb
Cassidy agonized about supporting Kennedy’s confirmation due to his record of anti-vaccine views, but ultimately cast the deciding vote for his nomination after receiving assurances about vaccine policy.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2025
The Canadian musician had agonized over writing the song in the first place.
—NPR, 6 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonized
Adjective
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And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Verb
-
Though the snow can create dangerous conditions on roadways, its arrival is somewhat of a relief given the extremely low snowpack that has plagued the West this winter.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The 11-time All-Star who been plagued by injuries since 2021 says his familiar position isn’t as physically demanding as the corner outfield spots, contrary to traditional thinking.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Chung adds that her decision to preserve MisTricks in this way has been a source of comfort as she's grieved the death of her pup.—
Luke Chinman,
PEOPLE,
3 Feb. 2026
-
After their murders, their families sat in the bitter cold and grieved, waiting for the prime minister, Imran Khan, to come and mourn with them.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Such memories flowed freely this week on social media and in mournful first-person essays.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Newsom shakes his head, seeming more mournful than angry.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The result is that, despite existing household pains owing to more expensive fuel, a resurgent kidnapping crisis that exposes deep security vulnerabilities, and external pressure from a US government that claims Christians are persecuted in Nigeria, Tinubu has expanded his base and looks strong.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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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
Verb
-
Her death was mourned by the country’s cultural ministry.—
Joseph Wilkinson,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The Factbook's demise drew immediate concern from people who frequently rely on it for their work, as Reddit groups for teachers, librarians and travel agents mourned its passing.—
Bill Chappell,
NPR,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Community ‘heartbroken’ over sewage spill Philip Gray used to enjoy paddling down the river in a canoe or floating in an inner tube, beer in hand, toward his home in Cabin John.—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
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The lyrics emanated from dramatic words and emotions expressed by owner Terry Pegula, football boss Brandon Beane and new head coach about their heartbroken hero.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Embarrassment could have been a factor in the rash decision, but Trump is not a man who appears to be afflicted by that particular emotion, which takes its cue from a certain amount of self-awareness and humility.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Thus, taxpayers are often stuck financing underperforming government programs riddled with waste and outright fraud, as was the case in the recent $30 billion scandal that afflicted the state’s unemployment insurance program.—
Lanhee J. Chen,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agonized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonized. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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