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
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Recent Examples of agonize
Christiansen said he’s dismayed by the changing landscape of college athletics with the transfer portal and NIL (name, image and likeness) money, and every coach agonizes on how to spread 11.7 scholarships over a 35-man roster.
—
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
Independent producers and sales agents agonized over what many of them see as an existential threat to their business.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Garden of Gethsemane The Garden of Gethsemane, at the base of the Mount of Olives, is said to be where Jesus agonized on the night of his arrest and crucifixion.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Some parents on flights agonize over the idea of their young child causing midair disruption.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Joe Davidson, Sacbee.com, 18 May 2025
Independent producers and sales agents agonized over what many of them see as an existential threat to their business.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 5 May 2025
Garden of Gethsemane The Garden of Gethsemane, at the base of the Mount of Olives, is said to be where Jesus agonized on the night of his arrest and crucifixion.
—Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 Apr. 2025
Some parents on flights agonize over the idea of their young child causing midair disruption.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agonize
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonize
Verb
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There may be no animal that has been more revered and reviled, romanticized and persecuted, adopted and murdered than the coyote.—
Helen Whybrow
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
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Asylum seekers must prove their government is persecuting them or that they're being persecuted by someone who the government is unable or unwilling to stop.—
Victoria Moorwood,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
Verb
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Dogs, the nation's most-popular pet, were also called challenging to raise and grieve.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
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This has led some to publicly chastise the grieving parents for seeking vengeance over justice, a criticism that Kristi addressed in a Facebook post on Thursday, July 3.—
Chris Spargo,
People.com,
4 July 2025
Verb
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With water crises increasingly plaguing other areas of the country, Central Arkansas is positioning itself as a destination for sustainable economic growth.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
11 July 2025
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But, with its ridiculous time-turning conclusion, the 1978 classic revealed a problem that's been plaguing the last son of Krypton ever since: Superman movies never end well.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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The world has mourned the loss of 27 campers and counselors, and 10 girls are still missing, according to the camp.—
Ross O'Keefe,
The Washington Examiner,
7 July 2025
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The Bruins community is mourning at the passing of one of the great characters in the club’s century-long history, Lyndon Byers, who died on Friday at the age of 61.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
5 July 2025
Verb
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Measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease caused by a virus that primarily, and most severely, afflicts children.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
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But the results are admirably smooth, low in acidity, and free of the tannic bitterness that afflicts most quick cold brews.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
29 June 2025
Verb
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Owners may consider special stairs, a ramp or even a stroller to help their elderly dog move around, while some dogs benefit from special beds and crate pads to help aching muscles and stiff joints.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 July 2025
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Like all great period romances, Maurice places aching desire at the forefront, with the men's palpable yearning made all the more soul-shattering by the fetters of their time.—
Lia Beck,
EW.com,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
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Jon Burge extracted a false confession from Wilson by beating him and torturing him with electrical shocks, according to Wilson’s lawsuit.—
Jake Sheridan,
Chicago Tribune,
10 July 2025
Verb
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There was our grandmother’s porch at night, on the wood divan, beneath the mosquito net softly sighing, cicadas lighting up the village with their sound.—
Aysegül Savas,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
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The door now sighs a soft goodbye,As echoes fade and memories fly.—
Melonee Hurt,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agonize.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonize. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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