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
Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 26 Dec. 2025
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
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
The Look An admittedly anxious and insecure person, Keaton agonized about her looks from an early age.
—Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 26 Dec. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for agonized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonized
Adjective
-
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
-
Throughout the rosary recital in the grotto, I was plagued with worry.—
Annie Ernaux,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
-
Criminal groups have increasingly launched drone strikes and armed attacks have plagued the race, and last June, politician and presidential hopeful Miguel Uribe Turbay, 39, was fatally shot at a political rally.—
Raquel Coronell Uribe,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
Verb
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The other thing most people miss is the sheer scale of what’s actually being grieved.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 May 2026
-
Indigenous men grieved but also fumed when women were attacked.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
The pair end the episode romantically riding together with a mournful song playing, which is akin to Dutton-family love-making.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Verb
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During and shortly after the Spanish Civil War, Franco’s regime, too, persecuted Esperantists for the language’s association with anti–nationalism and anarchism.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
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Blanche, who defended the fund at a congressional hearing this week, has said anyone who believes they’ve been persecuted can apply for compensation regardless of political affiliation.—
Eric Tucker,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Ayalew’s death was widely mourned in the South Bay, and she was remembered for her devotion to humanitarian causes in Ethiopia and locally.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
30 May 2026
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In Israel, relatives mourned soldier Sergeant Rotem Yanai, who was killed yesterday in a drone attack launched from Lebanon.—
Kyla Guilfoil,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Ali later finds her, a moment that leaves him completely heartbroken, before testing the drugs and confirming they were laced with fentanyl.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
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Horace leaves Hollywood and a heartbroken but determined Aaron behind.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
But all hope is not lost for the mosquito-afflicted.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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Their presence has revitalized towns historically afflicted by the woes of the boom-and-bust cycles of the oil and gas industry.—
Ernesto Sagás,
The Conversation,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agonized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonized. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
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