Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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 misery Together, these broad social consequences are linked to misery, political discontent and normlessness. Nathan Meyers, The Conversation, 11 July 2025 Their relative misery even exceeds that of the Afghans and Iraqis. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 30 July 2025 Hungry people would not then have uploaded the image of the couple to TikTok, Twitter and Instagram, and all the other unfettered, unedited sites that traffic in human misery. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2025 Meanwhile, Trump’s tariffs, his big, ugly budget bill, and the havoc that his immigration raids are spreading in the vulnerable industries of agriculture, hospitality and construction will inflict misery on all but the wealthiest sectors of the economy. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 18 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for misery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery
Noun
  • For many, the relationship with tequila ended in their early 20s with promises made to some dormitory deity — often made of porcelain — to end a miserable night’s agony.
    Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • My wing-scarfing strategy was to plow through as many as possible before the agony set in, then survive the remainder without committing the day-ruining error of touching my eyes.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Notably, unemployment among Black men spiked significantly from 5.2% in May to 6.9% in July, illustrating a spreading distress that often starts with the most vulnerable groups and then extends wider in the labor market.
    Aisha Nyandoro, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
  • The legislation also follows several studies that highlighted concerning examples of AI therapy tools overlooking, or even encouraging, signs of mental distress.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Relocated to a coastal town under the care of her brother’s best friend, Axel Nguyen, Leah grapples with grief, haunting nightmares and a fractured sense of self.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2025
  • However, for those with a decade or more left in the workforce, understanding the challenges faced by today’s retirees and how to best prepare for them can mean the difference between living the dream and living the nightmare.
    Deb Boyden, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Create an escalation path and stick to it: PCP first for routine or chronic issues; urgent care for same-day but moderate problems; telehealth for quick guidance on straightforward stuff (rashes, mild colds); ER only for the big, scary, time-sensitive events like chest pain or stroke symptoms.
    John Samuels, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Recognizing the distinction between mechanical tightness and protective tension is crucial for anyone experiencing chronic stiffness, recurring pain or short-term mobility gains that just won’t stick.
    Dana Santas, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Those children endured years of torture, starvation, and imprisonment while the system looked the other way.
    Howard Talenfeld, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2025
  • Holocaust survivors say the hostage videos published in recent days recall for them their own torture and deprivation under the Nazis eight decades ago.
    Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • As the hours pass, the anguish of the families and their fellow miners has increased.
    Cristopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2025
  • The passage of time may increase the anguish of self-examination, but the search for truth is always worth the cost.
    Gary Knight, Rolling Stone, 1 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • One user suggested the couple might have found themselves in a horror film scenario.
    Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 2025
  • But to be fair, when have studio executives ever foamed at the mouth to make an arthouse horror film set in the world of ballet, one that ends with its heroine taking her own life?
    Keaton Bell, Vogue, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Beyond discomfort and potential allergic reactions, a dirty mattress can also affect the quality of your sleep itself.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 11 Aug. 2025
  • The flexible bristles spare your child from discomfort, work to minimize split ends, and leave their hair perfectly picture-day-ready.
    Annie Blackman, Glamour, 11 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Misery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misery. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

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