agony

[ ag-uh-nee ]

noun

, plural ag·o·nies.

1. extreme and generally prolonged pain; intense physical or mental suffering.

   Synonyms: torture, torment, anguish

   Antonyms: pleasure, ease, comfort

2. a display or outburst of intense mental or emotional excitement:

   an agony of joy.

   Synonyms: paroxysm

3. the struggle preceding natural death:

   mortal agony.

4. a violent struggle.
5. Often Agony. Theology. the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

agony

/ ˈæɡənɪ /

noun

1. acute physical or mental pain; anguish
2. the suffering or struggle preceding death
3. pile on the agony informal.
   pile on the agonyput on the agonyturn on the agony to exaggerate one's distress for sympathy or greater effect
4. modifier relating to or advising on personal problems about which people have written to the media

   agony column

   agony writer

Word History and Origins

Origin of agony¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English agonye (from Anglo-French ), from Late Latin agōnia, from Greek, equivalent to agṓn “struggle” + -ia noun suffix: agon, -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of agony¹

C14: via Late Latin from Greek agōnia struggle, from agōn contest

Synonym Study

See pain.

Example Sentences

Truth be told, there is no one better at capturing the agony and alarm of a woman in the throes of a nervous breakdown than Moore.

From The Daily Beast

The agony of being so close to our goal but failing gnaws at our insides while we replay the events over and over in our heads.

From The Daily Beast

Animals in agony or danger are used by Martin Wittfooth, often to hint at the future of the human condition.

From The Daily Beast

Murray lost 6-1 7-6, 6-2 as Kate and William grimaced and groaned in agony with the rest of the nation.

From The Daily Beast

But if he positioned himself a certain way, he found he could avoid excruciating agony.

From The Daily Beast

In the year of misery, of agony and suffering in general he had endured, he had settled upon one theory.

From Project Gutenberg

Your sacrifice shall be the agony of agonies, the death of deaths, and yet you'll find yourself unable to resist.

From Project Gutenberg

Each sentence came as if torn piecemeal from his unwilling tongue; short, jerky phrases, conceived in pain and delivered in agony.

From Project Gutenberg

Having reduced Punch to a second agony of tears Harry departed upstairs with the news that Punch was still rebellious.

From Project Gutenberg

How little did she realize the long drawn-out agony that was even then beginning for her sisters in that ill-fated entrenchment!

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• anguish
• misery
• passion
• torment
• torture
• woe