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Ponder vs Agonize - What's the difference?

ponder | agonize |

As verbs the difference between ponder and agonize

is that ponder is to wonder, to think of deeply while agonize is to writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.

ponder

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • To wonder, to think of deeply.
  • To consider (something) carefully and thoroughly; to chew over, to mull over.
  • I have spent days pondering the meaning of life.
  • * Bible, Proverbs iv. 26
  • Ponder the path of thy feet.
  • (obsolete) To weigh.
  • Synonyms

    * chew over * mull over * See also

    agonize

    English

    Alternative forms

    * agonise

    Verb

    (agoniz)
  • To writhe with agony; to suffer violent anguish.
  • * (Alexander Pope):
  • To smart and agonize at every pore.
  • To struggle; to wrestle; to strive desperately.
  • * 1898 , , (Moonfleet), chapter 3:
  • So I took a last stare round, agonizing to see if there was any way of escape; but the stone walls and roof were solid enough to crush me, and the stack of casks too closely packed to hide more than a rat.