agonize

Have you ever spent hours tossing and turning at night, replaying a difficult situation in your head? That's agonizing! To *agonize over something is to worry about it intensely*, often feeling pain or distress while trying to make a tough choice. It is more than just being concerned; it implies deep mental suffering.

Think of the word "agony"—that sharp, intense pain. To agonize is to experience that kind of turmoil mentally. You might agonize over a big life decision, like whether to move to a new city or accept a job offer. You can also agonize over small details, obsessing about getting everything perfect. It is rarely used for simple, fleeting worries; it suggests a truly difficult internal struggle.

To agonize means to undergo great mental anguish, usually while struggling with a difficult decision or situation. It goes beyond simply worrying—it implies a deep and prolonged period of suffering or torment. The word comes from the Greek "agon," meaning a contest or struggle, hinting at the internal battle taking place in your mind.

You will most often use the word with the preposition over. For example: "She agonized over whether to tell her friend the truth." This means she wrestled with the decision, feeling intense distress and uncertainty. You might also hear people "agonize about" a problem.

While it is most commonly used to describe mental struggles, it can occasionally refer to physical suffering. For instance, a person might "agonize" in a hospital bed, though it is more common to say they are "in agony."

Unlike simply being stressed or anxious, agonizing suggests a deeper level of emotional turmoil. It is a word reserved for experiences that feel like a form of torture. So, if you find yourself caught in a cycle of intense worry, weighing pros and cons until it hurts, you are agonizing.