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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agonize
To accept that there will always be creatures teeming nearby, some of them agonizing, expelled from their days.
—
María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Because coverage is guaranteed, people do not have to agonize every year over choosing a health plan based on countless variables.
—Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
The parents who keep looking for him, agonizing over his health.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026
Some 36,000 fans at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field, and many more tuning in on radio and television, agonized through one of the Fall Classic’s wildest and most emotional conclusions.
—Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agonize
María Ospina, The Dial, 31 Mar. 2026
Because coverage is guaranteed, people do not have to agonize every year over choosing a health plan based on countless variables.
—Jamie Hartmann-Boyce, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2026
The parents who keep looking for him, agonizing over his health.
—Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Mar. 2026
Some 36,000 fans at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field, and many more tuning in on radio and television, agonized through one of the Fall Classic’s wildest and most emotional conclusions.
—Hillel Italie, Los Angeles Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize
Verb
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Individuals with Jewish heritage through their father or a grandparent sometimes identified as Jewish or were persecuted for their Jewish heritage, as was the case under the Nazi regime.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
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Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Professor, with only her ex-partner’s cat for company, sits in her decaying apartment and grieves the loss of her relationship and her struggle with infertility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
Group for individuals grieving death of spouse or life partner.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
6 May 2026
Verb
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Rumors of affairs plague all royals, even those no longer with us.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2026
-
The document outlines steps to address failures in the agency’s affordable housing programs and financial reporting that have plagued the agency since 2019.—
R.A. Schuetz,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Decadents love and mourn the fall of Rome.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
-
Former customers took to social media to mourn or celebrate the airline’s death.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
2 May 2026
Verb
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In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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And so what was once out of bounds continued to move within the Pale, and a scourge went on afflicting politicians and groypers and, yes, comedians alike.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
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When his tiredness turned into a 105 degree fever and body aches, his parents took him to a local emergency room.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
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Once again, my heart surprisingly aches for Kristen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In 1969 she was put in solitary confinement for 491 days and tortured.—
Kate Bartlett,
NPR,
2 May 2026
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Iranian American actor Anthony Azizi says the continuing Middle East conflict has sparked rising persecution of Iran’s Baha’i minority, including its members being jailed and tortured under the threat of execution.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
1 May 2026
Verb
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When placed in front of him, the child either cowers backward in fear and sighs with relief when it's turned off or uses the Force to deactivate it.—
Kirsten Acuna,
PEOPLE,
30 Apr. 2026
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Seeing her dad’s handwriting, Lally sighed.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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