agony

American  

[ag-uh-nee] / ˈæg ə ni /

noun

plural

agonies

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. Theology. Often Agony the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

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agony British  

/ ˈæɡənɪ /

noun

1. acute physical or mental pain; anguish

2. the suffering or struggle preceding death

3. 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

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Usage

What does agony mean? Agony is extreme pain or suffering, especially the kind that lasts for a long time. The word anguish is a close synonym.Agony can be physical or emotional. A person who has just broken their leg and a person who has just experienced the death of a loved one could both be said to be in agony—in a state of extreme pain or suffering.However, agony is perhaps more commonly used in the context of emotional pain (in which case it often likens such suffering to intense physical pain).The verb agonize can mean to be in agony, but it most commonly means to put forth a great effort—to struggle or strive, as in She’s been agonizing about what to get you for your birthday.The adjective agonizing means filled with or resulting in agony, as in agonizing pain.  Agony also has a few other meanings that are much less common. It can mean an outburst of intense emotional excitement, even a positive one, as in an agony of joy. It can also mean an intense or violent struggle, as in He was in an agony of indecision. More specifically, it can refer to the struggle or suffering that precedes death.Example: I hope you’ll never have to experience the sheer agony of losing a child.

Related Words

See pain.

Etymology

Origin of agony

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

Example Sentences

Climbing down the tower was agony, but all I could think of was going home.

From Literature

In one passage of “In Memoriam,” Tennyson envisions the agony of his own death not in religious terms but in images drawn from biology:

From The Wall Street Journal

"We ask to end this agony so we can truly create the transition citizens are hoping for," she said, according to Reuters.

From BBC

While the Dodgers were ultimately bathed in cheers, he and wife Kayla were awash in agony.

From Los Angeles Times

Her real-time agony reminds us that tragedies like hers can happen to anyone, and that they are disorderly and unpredictable by their nature.

From Salon

Related Words

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