agonize

This way, we wouldn’t have to agonize over every ride and could even hop aboard to cross the Grand Canal without having to walk to the nearest bridge.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

Refusing even a hint of introspection, she added: “We don’t agonize over what happened. We organize about what comes next.”

From Slate ● Nov. 15, 2024

I agonize over the amount of plastic we can’t avoid using and mourn the monarch butterflies that have vanished.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2024

When they wed, their fans swoon; when stars divorce, people agonize over what went wrong.

From Salon ● Jan. 5, 2024

Mom said when she and Dad visited him, Poppy would be hurting so much he could hardly talk, and Dad would agonize over it for days afterward.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam

In 1415, on the eve of challenging France at the Battle of Agincourt, he agonizes about the moral burdens of kingship.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026

Miyazaki agonizes over the character of the Great Uncle who has built the fantastical world of the tower in “The Boy and The Heron.”

From Salon ● Dec. 24, 2024

In another, a girl agonizes while her 10-year-old sister buys a maroon lifeguard hoodie.

From New York Times ● Jul. 11, 2023

Tellez left Citrus College in October 2020 and still agonizes over the decision.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2022

While he agonizes over song choice, I watch the K-pop videos playing on the television.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Faisuris Alvarez, who runs a beachside fish stand, agonized aloud over these questions without answers.

From Barron's ● Jul. 11, 2026

I’m agonized by the thought that she might have sought help before she died.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 30, 2026

Unlike Steve, I haven’t agonized much about my bygone career or felt much of a vacuum where it once was.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026

“That’s what agonized him so much — that when you record things, they are forever.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2025

Ten times in the ensuing week, he cried, “Robbie stays,—and that’s final!” and each time it was weaker and accompanied by a louder and more agonized groan.

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

The adults as much as the teenagers find themselves beset by doubts about their futures, haunted by the ghosts of their pasts, or agonizing over the thorny matter of God’s presence or absence.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 29, 2026

Pessina and her siblings began an agonizing search.

From Barron's ● Jul. 2, 2026

I was agonizing over whether to claim at 62 or wait until 70.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

In his third season with the Dodgers, rising star Andy Pages navigates the agonizing reality of being separated from his parents and sister as U.S.-Cuba relations face new flashpoints.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 14, 2026

Like there was a dark cloud of rank, revolting air around me that no one wanted to penetrate for fear of excruciating pain or agonizing injury.

From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan