misery

[miz-uh-ree]

noun

plural

miseries 

1. wretchedness of condition or circumstances.

   Synonyms: trial, tribulation, suffering

2. distress or suffering caused by need, privation, or poverty.

3. great mental or emotional distress; extreme unhappiness.

   Synonyms: desolation, torment, woe, anguish, grief
   Antonyms: happiness

4. a cause or source of distress.

5. Older Use.

   1. a pain.

      a misery in my left side.

   2. rheumatism.

   3. Often miseries. a case or period of despondency or gloom.

misery

/ ˈmɪzərɪ /

noun

1. intense unhappiness, discomfort, or suffering; wretchedness

2. a cause of such unhappiness, discomfort, etc

3. squalid or poverty-stricken conditions

4. informal,  a person who is habitually depressed

   he is such a misery

5. dialect,  a pain or ailment

Word History and Origins

Origin of misery¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English miserie, from Latin miseria, equivalent to miser “wretched” + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of misery¹

C14: via Anglo-Norman from Latin miseria, from miser wretched

Idioms and Phrases

• put someone out of his or her misery

Synonym Study

See sorrow.

Example Sentences

No profit from the misery of the government.

Read more on BBC

The interactions are bracing but also a bit studied — the performers’ technique is more impressive than the story, which too often is merely a delivery device for misery disguised as searing truth.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It is just all muddled thinking at United and Amorim is starting to look like a guy who wants to be put out of his misery.

Read more on BBC

Sir Tony said the plans were "the best chance of ending two years of war, misery and suffering".

Read more on BBC

“Because she’s saved them out of misery and starvation and begging.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agony 
• anguish 
• despair 
• discomfort 
• gloom 
• grief 
• hardship 
• headache 
• heartache 
• passion 
• sadness 
• sorrow 
• squalor 
• suffering 
• torment 
• torture 
• woe 
• worry