agony

[ag-uh-nee]

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.

agony

/ 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

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

The disease usually means that our bodies make an uncomfortable home to live in, but sometimes the disease turns the pain thermostat up from discomfort to agony.

Read more on Salon

But the agony of recovery is off-set by the way your body looks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Families like Cusnir’s never thought their agony would run this deep or last this long—two whole years—and say they want their government to do whatever it takes to close this chapter.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Since then there has been massive killing of Palestinian civilians, more destruction in Gaza, and now a famine, while Israeli hostages in Gaza have had to endure months more of agony and captivity.

Read more on BBC

"I think it's real agony. There's nothing casual about letting a book go," she said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.