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
Certainly any commuter clenching his or her teeth traveling on Highway 101 through Silicon Valley or agonizing along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles won’t complain the state has too few occupants.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
Some news organizations have agonized over whether to carry Mr. Trump — and his penchant for falsehoods — live on air.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
During a meeting Tuesday hosted by the American Council on Education, college officials agonized over what the freeze would mean for minority-serving schools.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The team agonized over the shoot and post-production, intent on making a pilot that was ready to air, not just a proof of concept.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Mark Z. Barabak, The Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2025
Some news organizations have agonized over whether to carry Mr. Trump — and his penchant for falsehoods — live on air.
—Benjamin Mullin, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025
During a meeting Tuesday hosted by the American Council on Education, college officials agonized over what the freeze would mean for minority-serving schools.
—Zachary Schermele, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
The team agonized over the shoot and post-production, intent on making a pilot that was ready to air, not just a proof of concept.
—Aaron Couch, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize
Verb
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At least two of them fled Venezuela in part because Tren de Aragua was persecuting them, according to the lawsuit.—
Syra Ortiz Blanes,
Miami Herald,
18 Mar. 2025
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Yoon’s conservative supporters have latched on to his arguments as well as his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, strongly echoing the dynamic between President Donald Trump and supporters who say he has been wrongly persecuted by a corrupt judicial system.—
Beomsu Jo,
NBC News,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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These were unimaginable choices for grieving parents to make in such a short time.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2025
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That’s the message this grieving man brought to the world figure skating stage.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Relying heavily on retrospective interviews and self-reporting, these approaches, still widely used in marketing and management, are plagued by recall bias and rationalization.—
Benjamin Voyer,
Forbes,
23 Mar. 2025
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Now comes a lengthy report published by the Independent Rikers Commission that states the obvious: the offshore complex, plagued by violence and apathy to the level of unconstitutionality, will not close by the date set six years ago by the City Council.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Martínez’s official Facebook page confirmed his death and mourned the loss of the musician.—
Fidel Martinez,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Mar. 2025
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All of us mourn the loss of a huge heart & soul larger even than his astonishing creative legacy.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In ways both provocative and beautiful, Faustine’s photography explored conditions afflicting Black women across time.—
Alex Greenberger,
ARTnews.com,
21 Mar. 2025
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The 73-year-old woman’s husband, who is afflicted with dementia and uses a wheelchair, was not able to help, and Echelbarger succumbed to her injuries.—
Laura Barcella,
People.com,
14 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Behind every aching word, Konanki’s mother’s weeping did not cease.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
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As Frank speaks, Rick is aching to satisfy his desire for revenge in what Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) correctly identifies as a ridiculous, Princess Bride-style plot to kill the man who killed his father.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Reyes Barrios, who marched in protests against the Maduro regime in February and March 2024, had been tortured by government officials.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
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Maybe the two of them are held prisoner down there for a while, being tortured by Milchick (or whomever is brought in to replace him after two separate catastrophes have happened under his watch).—
Alan Sepinwall,
Rolling Stone,
21 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Above them, burned forever in my memory, a sighing woman in white, legs bound, reclines on top of a pillar.—
Lisa Brown,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
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The flight attendant sighed, took a step back without leaving the scene, busied himself with brushing invisible crumbs off his uniform.—
Daniel D'Addario,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025.
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