agony

noun

ag·​o·​ny ˈa-gə-nē 

plural agonies

1

a

: intense pain of mind or body : anguish, torture

the agony of rejection

the agony of defeat

b

: the struggle that precedes death

2

: a violent struggle or contest

the agonies of battle

3

: a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight) : outburst

an agony of mirth

Did you know?

In Ancient Greece, a public gathering was called agon. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The struggle to win the prize in such contests came to be called agonia. This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the pain that went with it—physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning “intense pain of mind or body,” thus comes from a word that meant a happy celebration.

Synonyms

• Gehenna
• hell
• horror
• misery
• murder
• nightmare
• torment
• torture

Choose the Right Synonym for agony

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble.

distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

some people live in misery every day

agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Examples of agony in a Sentence

She was in terrible agony after breaking her leg.

The medicine relieves the agony of muscle cramps very quickly.

It was agony to watch him suffer like that.

Recent Examples on the Web

Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims. —Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

On a nation’s struggle and agony; the nature of democracy; Trump vs. Canada; and more On Monday, next to the Hudson River in New York, there was a demonstration. —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025

The clip comes to a suspenseful end with Jo crying in agony while Bailey begins moving her to the OB ward. —Liza Esquibias, People.com, 6 Mar. 2025

The death of this beautiful 12-year-old girl and the agony of her mother and family touched our entire nation greatly. —Time Staff, TIME, 5 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English agonie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French agonie, borrowed from Late Latin agōnia, borrowed from Greek agōnía "contest, struggle, anguish," from agṓn "gathering, assembly at games, contest for a prize" (derivative of ágein "to lead, drive") + -ia -y entry 2 — more at agent

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing agony

• agony aunt
• agony column

Kids Definition

agony

noun

ag·​o·​ny ˈag-ə-nē 

plural agonies

1

: intense pain of mind or body

2

: a strong sudden display of emotion : outburst

an agony of delight

Etymology

Middle English agonie "agony," from Latin agonia (same meaning), from Greek agōnia "struggle," from agōn "gathering, contest for a prize"

Word Origin

In ancient Greece a public gathering was called agōn. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The struggle to win the prize in such contests came to be called agōnia. This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the pain that went with it, physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning "intense pain of mind or body," thus comes from a word that originally meant a happy celebration.

Medical Definition

agony

noun

ag·​o·​ny ˈag-ə-nē 

plural agonies

1

: intense pain of mind or body

2

: the struggle that precedes death