agonize
verb
ag·o·nize ˈa-gə-ˌnīz 
agonized; agonizing
transitive verb
: to cause to suffer agony : torture
intransitive verb
1
: to suffer agony, torture, or anguish
agonizes over every decision
2
: struggle
Synonyms
- afflict
- anguish
- bedevil
- beset
- besiege
- curse
- excruciate
- harrow
- persecute
- plague
- rack
- torment
- torture
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing
Recent Examples on the Web Prepping for a backpacking trip looks something like this: lay out your gear, pack the essentials, then agonize over the little things that add weight but boost comfort and fun. 
Outside Online, 16 June 2022 Where applicants previously had to agonize over their resumes and employers could reject someone in a matter of seconds due to the high volume of applications, the tables have turned. Tim Madden, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022 While some tech businesses agonize over remote-first versus hybrid, there has been a universal boost to salaries in the scrabble for staff. Megan Carnegie, Wired, 11 Feb. 2022 This year has seen the rise of two specific factors that will only further agonize you. Chris Carosa, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2022 Only a stupid you-know-what wouldn’t agonize over that trade-off. Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2022 Since then, five other Southeastern Conference teams have won it all, a hefty haul of 15 championships in total, while the Bulldogs and their red-and-black faithful have been left to agonize over close calls, bad luck and squandered potential. Paul Newberry, ajc, 9 Jan. 2022 Those are the moments that die-hard fans should agonize over, not the rash of COVID-19 positives that befell the Browns this week. Marla Ridenour, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021 Researchers study it, and journalists write about it, while organizational leaders agonize over it. Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 See More
Outside Online, 16 June 2022 Where applicants previously had to agonize over their resumes and employers could reject someone in a matter of seconds due to the high volume of applications, the tables have turned. Tim Madden, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022 While some tech businesses agonize over remote-first versus hybrid, there has been a universal boost to salaries in the scrabble for staff. Megan Carnegie, Wired, 11 Feb. 2022 This year has seen the rise of two specific factors that will only further agonize you. Chris Carosa, Forbes, 30 Jan. 2022 Only a stupid you-know-what wouldn’t agonize over that trade-off. Washington Post, 24 Jan. 2022 Since then, five other Southeastern Conference teams have won it all, a hefty haul of 15 championships in total, while the Bulldogs and their red-and-black faithful have been left to agonize over close calls, bad luck and squandered potential. Paul Newberry, ajc, 9 Jan. 2022 Those are the moments that die-hard fans should agonize over, not the rash of COVID-19 positives that befell the Browns this week. Marla Ridenour, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2021 Researchers study it, and journalists write about it, while organizational leaders agonize over it. Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Middle French agoniser "to exercise, struggle, suffer, (in past participle agonisé) torment," borrowed from Medieval Latin agōnizāre "to struggle, suffer death pangs," going back to Late Latin, "to fight, wrestle," borrowed from Greek agōnízesthai "to contest, fight," verbal derivative of agṓn "assembly, contest" — more at agony
First Known Use
1570, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2
Kids Definition
agonize
verb
ag·o·nize ˈa-gə-ˌnīz
agonized; agonizing
: to think or worry very much about something She agonized over the choices.
agonizes
verb
1
as in persecutes
to cause persistent suffering to got into more trouble, further agonizing her poor mother Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- persecutes
- plagues
- afflicts
- tortures
- besieges
- torments
- anguishes
- besets
- bothers
- attacks
- curses
- bedevils
- troubles
- pursues
- stings
- harrows
- aggravates
- assails
- grieves
- excruciates
- racks
- exasperates
- disturbs
- overwhelms
- annoys
- harasses
- irritates
- strikes
- disquiets
- pesters
- harries
- chafes
- stresses
- worries
- distresses
- oppresses
- perturbs
- hurts
- tries
- irks
- riles
- vexes
- tyrannizes
- agitates
- stabs
- molests
- flusters
- upsets
- victimizes
- smites
- gripes
- overpowers
- pains
- discomforts
- grates
- rides
- piques
- dogs
- pangs
- hounds
- discomposes
- crushes
- badgers
- bugs
- wrings
- peeves
- strains
- rasps
- gets
- nettles
- pricks
- galls
- martyrs
- puts out
- smarts
- hagrides
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- helps
- aids
- abets
- assists
- relieves
- delivers
- releases
- soothes
- quiets
- contents
- comforts
- solaces
- consoles
- succors
- reprieves
2
as in mourns
to feel deep sadness or mental pain agonized for days over whether she'd done the right thing Synonyms & Similar Words
- mourns
- sighs
- grieves
- aches
- suffers
- anguishes
- cries
- sorrows
- weeps
- sobs
- hurts
- bleeds
- groans
- torments
- laments
- bewails
- tortures
- moans
- tears one's hair
- eats one's heart out
- bemoans
- deplores
- languishes
- regrets
- rues
- yammers
- blubbers
- smarts
- bawls
- wails
- howls
- racks
- yowls
- keens
- pines (away)
- longs (for)
- takes on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- laughs
- rejoices
- exults
- delights
- cheers
- beams
- triumphs
- sympathizes
- glories
- assures
- ravishes
- reassures
- crows
- cheers
- joys
- soothes
- comforts
- commiserates
- consoles
- solaces
- hanging keel
- hanging lie
- hanging lobster claw
- hanging lobster claws
- hanging loose
- hanging moss
- hanging off
- hanging on
- hanging on to
- hanging one on
- hanging out
- hanging over
- hanging paper
- hanging participle
- hanging post
- hanging rail
- hanging side
- hanging sleeve
- hanging stairs
- hanging stile
- hanging together
- hanging up
- hanging valley
- hanging wall
- hanging with