AGONIZED Synonyms: 256 Similar and Opposite Words

agonized 1 of 2

adjective

ˈa-gə-ˌnīzd

Definition of agonized

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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agonized

2 of 2

verb

past tense of agonize

as in plagued

to cause persistent suffering to got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother

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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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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

An agonized woman, writhing and coughing and gnarled by disease, is found in a field on the edge of town. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 13 Feb. 2026 His character in The Narrow Road to the Deep North could not be further from that, and his believability as an agonized Japanese major struggling with his orders is a sign of Kasamatsu’s broadening range. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025

Verb

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 Cristobal agonized for days about what to do. — CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for agonized

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agonized

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

Garbage’s set was plagued by technical difficulties, but singer Shirley Manson kept her cool, joking that this was just the kind of thing the band was used to.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 30 Aug. 2026
The research team identified opportunities to improve the atomic layer etching (ALE) approach, which offers significant advantages over the conventional methods but was plagued by difficulties for practical use.

— Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of plagued

Verb

The family grieved quietly, rarely speaking to one another about what happened, Phan said.

— Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
We are further grieved by continuing violence and instability in the Middle East, including the recent conflict involving Iran and its widening humanitarian consequences.

— Killingly-Brooklyn Interfaith Council, Hartford Courant, 9 July 2026

Definition of grieved

Adjective

Whitney Houston’s powerhouse version stands alone, but Dolly’s quieter, mournful ode to her collaboration with Porter Wagoner is the artful, formative sketch to a colossal mural.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Aug. 2026
These pauses also give the documentary an air of mournful respect, making its pace more deliberate than the standard talking heads-doc that might be mistaken as a stylistic counterpart.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of mournful

Verb

García Luna pledged to restore independence and public confidence in the Public Ministry and began reviewing cases involving officials, journalists, and others who alleged that they had been politically persecuted under the previous administration.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026
Many Marranos persecuted by the Inquisition did secretly maintain a Jewish identity.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of persecuted

Adjective

Fans across Kansas City posted heartbroken notes of appreciation for the country legend.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Speaking during a recent career retrospective hosted by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, the 71-year-old actor revealed that his Thelma & Louise co-star left him heartbroken.

— Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of heartbroken

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“Agonized.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agonized. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of agonized

adjective

verb

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