to agonize
6
6.8
- verb
- /ˈæɡəˌnaɪz/
- US
:
angustiar
- "But he has a good heart, and when those things happen, he agonizes over that.
Examples
-
You are agonizing over wanting them back.
-
Do not agonize over it for even one hundred pages.
Fiction book (2001) -
We do not need to agonize about what that something is.
Academic text (2001) -
There was nothing to agonize over.
Fiction book (1990) -
So boards of directors have long agonized over how much to borrow.
-
Monica agonized over the slow steps required to create homespun socks.
Academic text (2002) -
And I remember actually agonizing over that decision and talking to Sheryl Sandberg.
-
As witnesses to his prolonged physical and psychological deterioration, Siphiwo's family agonized over his failing health.
Academic text (2005) -
So often, too often, the tough times are recorded, analyzed, emphasized, and agonized over—far too long.
Fiction book (1992) -
Grief-stricken, Halee agonized over whether she should tell the police about her suspicions.
Synonyms
107
7.2
To cause someone to feel great physical or mental pain
95
4.1
To make someone feel very sad
87
6.9
To cause someone to feel very shocked and upset
45
4.9
To make someone feel sad or upset
26
3.3
To feel sharp emotional pain after someone says something hurtful
8
9.9
To cause someone very great physical or mental pain
4
7.3
To cause someone to feel very strong pain or worry
1
8.9
To cause someone pain or deep sadness
Antonyms
How Distressing
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Agonize comes from the same Greek root agon ('struggle') and the English noun agony ('great pain'), which gives the idea of intense suffering. That's why to agonize someone is to cause them deep pain or distress.