Agonize (Over) Crossword Clue

By: Five Letter Words | Last edited: Apr 30, 2025

Trying to crack the Agonize (over) crossword clue from the April 30, 2025 New York Times Mini puzzle? We've tracked down the exact 4-letter answer you need. To make your solving journey more enjoyable, we've built interactive features to enhance the experience. You can use our step-by-step letter reveal tool to gradually uncover the solution, or explore our custom-designed hints—including helpful word patterns, alternative clues with the same answer, or detailed explanations to guide your thought process. We've also made it easy to navigate between connected clues from this puzzle. Ready to solve this anxiety-themed clue? Let's find the answer together!

Crossword Answer:

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About This Clue

The April 30, 2025 New York Times Mini Crossword featured the clue "Agonize (over)" with the answer FRET. This clue references the act of worrying excessively or obsessing over something, often to the point of causing oneself mental distress. The parenthetical "over" indicates the preposition that typically follows the verb in common usage—we usually "fret over" something.

The Psychology of Worrying

Fretting—or excessive worrying—is a common human experience that can range from mild concern to debilitating anxiety. Psychologically, worrying serves as the mind's attempt to predict and prepare for potential threats, though it often becomes counterproductive when it spirals beyond reasonable limits. The word "fret" has interesting etymological roots, deriving from Old English "fretan," meaning to devour or consume—an apt description of how worry can consume one's thoughts and mental energy. This linguistic origin reflects how the process of fretting can feel like being eaten away from the inside by persistent concerns. In modern psychological terms, excessive fretting is often associated with anxiety disorders, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), which is characterized by persistent and uncontrollable worry about various aspects of life. Cognitive-behavioral therapists often work with patients to recognize and manage unproductive worry cycles, distinguishing between productive problem-solving and unproductive rumination. Interestingly, the word "fret" has other meanings beyond worrying—it refers to raised ridges on the fingerboard of a stringed instrument and can also mean to erode or wear away. These multiple meanings share a connection to friction and distress, whether mental or physical, making FRET an aptly versatile answer for the crossword clue "Agonize (over)."

NYT Mini Crossword Tips

When solving emotion-based clues like "Agonize (over)" in the NYT Mini Crossword, it helps to consider common synonyms for the emotional state being described. The parenthetical preposition is also a valuable hint, as it narrows down verbs that typically pair with that specific preposition. The four-letter constraint is particularly helpful in this case, as there aren't many four-letter verbs that mean "to agonize over" something. When encountering such clues, think about colloquial expressions and common verbs used to describe emotional states or reactions. For this particular clue, the verb "fret" is a perfect fit—it's a concise, four-letter word that precisely captures the meaning of agonizing or worrying excessively about something. It's also commonly paired with the preposition "over" in everyday speech (as in "fretting over details"), which aligns perfectly with the clue's parenthetical hint.

Related Crossword Answers

More Clues & Answers For The New York Times Mini (April 30, 2025)

ACROSS

• 1. Picture holder
• 6. New spin on an old song
• 7. Cream of the crop
• 8. Hobbes in "Calvin and Hobbes," for one
• 9. Profit = revenue - ___

DOWN

• 1. Agonize (over)
• 2. Item in Indiana Jones's satchel, perhaps
• 3. Compadre
• 4. Itty-bitty biters
• 5. Wield, as influence