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 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 Rubio has apportioned the blame for the recent misery in the region to Iran's leadership. —

Billal Rahman, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024 For the Heat, such thought does not appear in the cards, no sign of willingness to put Bam Adebayo or Tyler Herro through such misery even if Jimmy Butler decides to move on or is moved on. —

Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 Nov. 2024 If misery loves company, state college football fans just hosted the world’s largest outdoor pity party. —

Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024 Few organizations in America received the kind of attention Eisner lavished on the DFD, and his photos showed both the heroism of the firefighters and the misery of the Motor City burning. —

Bill McGraw, Detroit Free Press, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery

Noun

Having at last regained hope from the fall of the House of Assad, the Syrian people expect no less from the countries that have for so many years allowed the country’s agony to continue at their expense.

Natasha Hall, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2024
Her family, meanwhile, suffered the agony of losing their daughter while knowing the person who killed her was walking free.

NBC New York, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024