MISERY Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of misery are agony , distress , and suffering . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

Q: When could 'agony' be used to replace 'misery'?

The synonyms agony and misery are sometimes interchangeable, but agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

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

The meanings of distress and misery largely overlap; however, 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 'suffering' a more appropriate choice than 'misery'?

The words suffering and misery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

misery

noun

ˈmi-zə-rē

Definition of misery next

as in agony

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness the flood brought misery to the many hundreds whom it had made homeless

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind a medication that promises to provide greater relief to those living in chronic misery because of arthritis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun misery differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of misery are agony, distress, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When could agony be used to replace misery?

The synonyms agony and misery are sometimes interchangeable, but agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When is it sensible to use distress instead of misery?

The meanings of distress and misery largely overlap; however, 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 suffering a more appropriate choice than misery?

The words suffering and misery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Examples of misery in a Sentence

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Recent Examples on the Web The cause of the albatross’s misery was evident: it was caught in a weather balloon. —

Danielle Beurteaux, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Oct. 2024 After 131 shows, the black and red Reputation jumpsuit that’s seen better days has finally been put out of its misery. —

Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 18 Oct. 2024 Adults comfort young victims with assurances that bullies are living their glory days in the locker room and have nothing but misery to look forward to. —

Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024 The story ends with a description of the misery and desolation that Mishima (the character, and, presumably, the author) has felt, his fundamental aloneness. —

Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery

Noun

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
Allie—her body a flaming pyre of agony—rolled off the bed and fell to the floor.

William Earl, Variety, 1 Oct. 2024