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 or put on the agony or turn on the agony informal.
   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

In their moments of agony, they disassociate from their own bodies and, arguably, never fully return.

From Los Angeles Times

Over a 15-month period, Bunty underwent a number of operations which all failed, leaving her in agony and taking strong pain relief for months.

From BBC

Monitoring by the government's veterinary agency showed that explosive harpoons were causing whales prolonged agony.

From BBC

Binoche has less to say, but her eyes and hands convey more agony and bitterness than an entire page of dialogue.

From New York Times

What followed is just a sad epilogue of court dates, hospital transfers, confusion, adult diapers, falls, agony and surrender that I want to keep separate somehow.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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