AGONY Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'agony' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of agony are distress , misery , and suffering . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

Q: Where would 'distress' be a reasonable alternative to 'agony'?

The words distress and agony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. // the hurricane put everyone in great distress

Q: When is it sensible to use 'misery' instead of 'agony'?

The meanings of misery and agony largely overlap; however, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

Q: When is 'suffering' a more appropriate choice than 'agony'?

In some situations, the words suffering and agony are roughly equivalent. However, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

agony

noun

ˈa-gə-nē

Definition of agony next

as in nightmare

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness waiting all those hours to hear if he'd survived the plane crash was pure agony

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind the agony of never knowing what happened to her son

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in explosion

a sudden intense expression of strong feeling the announcement that the war was over unleashed a mass agony of joy

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun agony differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of agony are distress, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Where would distress be a reasonable alternative to agony?

The words distress and agony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When is it sensible to use misery instead of agony?

The meanings of misery and agony largely overlap; however, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When is suffering a more appropriate choice than agony?

In some situations, the words suffering and agony are roughly equivalent. However, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of agony His role lies in gothic territory that could simply play as camp, but Thaxton gives it real ache and agony. —

Sara Holdren, Vulture, 20 Oct. 2024 Her story became the focus of almost every main news outlet around the country, and people watched in agony for two days as rescuers attempted to save the toddler. —

Jordana Comiter, People.com, 16 Oct. 2024 The Quinto family’s agony began Dec. 23, 2020, when Bella dialed 911 and requested help for Angelo. —

Rick Hurd, The Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2024 The friendship of Adra and Abraham is no sentimental cinematic Band-Aid for agonies or injustices but, rather, a touchstone for both men, who, in confronting each other, confront themselves. —

Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for agony

Recent Examples of Synonyms for agony

Noun

And to be in this iconic closet is a nightmare come true.

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 3 Nov. 2024
Mold habits die hard Your nightmare blunt rotation (Logan Paul, Mr. Beast, and KSI) now make food for children, and to no one’s surprise: There’s mold in it.

Kate Lindsay, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024