agonise

agonise — verb

1. to worry greatly or think with deep anxiety about a choice or problem for a long

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to worry greatly or think with deep anxiety about a choice or problem for a long period before reaching a conclusion

例句

Ana agonised over whether to quit her job and start a new career overseas.

The committee agonised for weeks about the best way to spend the charity funds.

agonise + for [time] + about [topic]

同義詞
  • fret

    Similar level of worry but often about smaller, everyday concerns; slightly less formal

  • worry

    More general and less intense; does not imply prolonged deliberation

  • struggle

    Focused on difficulty or conflict rather than anxiety or distress

  • anguish

    More emotional and painful, less centred on the decision-making process

反義詞

文法句型

agonise + over/about + noun/gerund

用法筆記

Typically used with the preposition 'over' or 'about' to specify the subject of worry. Frequently followed by a gerund (e.g. 'agonised over choosing...') or a wh-clause (e.g. 'agonised about whether...'). This verb is rarely used transitively.

常見錯誤

❌I agonised choosing the gift.
✅I agonised over choosing the gift.
💡The verb requires a preposition (over/about) before its object.
❌She agonised the decision for days.
✅She agonised over the decision for days.
💡The verb cannot take a direct object; use over/about.