agonized 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-gə-ˌnīzd How to pronounce agonized (audio)
Definition of agonizednext
as in weeping
expressing or suggesting mourning one look at his agonized, tearful eyes and it was clear that something was terribly wrong

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

agonized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of agonize
1
as in plagued
to cause persistent suffering to got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of agonized
Adjective
Her endless screams and sobs echo back to the agonized wailing of The Mist’s David Drayton, who murdered his child and friends for nothing. — Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026 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 second is that the Big Tech platforms have, for years, begrudgingly agonized over content-moderation decisions. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2025 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. — ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agonized
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonized
  1. weeping
  2. plagued
  3. grieved
  4. mournful
  5. persecuted
  6. mourned
  7. heartbroken
  8. afflicted
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
Definition of weeping
Verb
  • Aside from the peeling of the waterproof coating, the reflecting pool has been plagued by an algae bloom, a persistent problem due to Washington’s high heat during the summer and the pool’s shallow depth, which creates an ideal biological incubator.
    — Philip Wang, Time, 6 July 2026
  • Now fully healthy after knee injuries plagued his rookie season, Thiero’s versatility in summer league could potentially translate to regular-season minutes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 July 2026
Definition of plagued
Verb
  • While the family grieved, the Willard Police Department got to work.
    — Dateline NBC, NBC news, 24 June 2026
  • The other thing most people miss is the sheer scale of what’s actually being grieved.
    — Angela Haupt, Time, 28 May 2026
Definition of grieved
Adjective
  • The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 19 June 2026
  • The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
    — Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Definition of mournful
Verb
  • The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.
    — Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 29 June 2026
  • Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
    — Mark Temnycky, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of persecuted
Verb
  • Noticias Telemundo confirmed the deaths with Trejo’s soccer club, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, which mourned the tragic loss of their player’s family.
    — Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 29 June 2026
  • He was mourned by friends and family Sands' funeral details were kept private by the family, but several people close to the actor publicly spoke out about his death.
    — Nicole Briese, PEOPLE, 27 June 2026
Definition of mourned
Adjective
  • Was, still heartbroken about the loss of his friend and bandmate, recalled their first time on tour.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
  • Prince Harry was heartbroken after arriving at Eton College in 1998.
    — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 30 June 2026
Definition of heartbroken
Verb
  • Jude, meanwhile, was shifting from tossing cones to tugging at his ears, afflicted with the same malady that had landed several of the toddlers on the room’s version of the injury list.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 30 June 2026
  • They are both afflicted by cognitive and/or hearing issues.
    — Eric Thomas, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2026
Definition of afflicted

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Cite this Entry

“Agonized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonized. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on agonized

Nglish: Translation of agonized for Spanish Speakers

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