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agony
[ ag-uh-nee ]
noun
- extreme and generally prolonged pain; intense physical or mental suffering.
- a display or outburst of intense mental or emotional excitement:
an agony of joy.
Synonyms: paroxysm
- the struggle preceding natural death:
mortal agony.
- a violent struggle.
- Often Agony. Theology. the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.
agony
/ ˈæɡənɪ /
noun
- acute physical or mental pain; anguish
- the suffering or struggle preceding death
- 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
- modifier relating to or advising on personal problems about which people have written to the media
agony column
agony writer
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of agony1
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
Gary Lineker, who will leave Match of the Day at the end of this season, BBC News understands, has been the steady hand who guided millions of fans through football's agonies and ecstasies.
Wales head coach Gatland had indicated he hoped for ecstasy rather than agony this weekend but that was not to be the case and his position will come under scrutiny.
Images of him writhing in agony as he burned to death in the family’s tent were shared around the world on social media.
With Whittaker laying on the canvas in agony, doctors attended to his ankle while the 27-year-old also appeared to complain about a back injury.
One win in 15 and yet more agony prior to Portugal’s visit to Hampden on Tuesday night.
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More About Agony
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.
Where does agony come from?
The first records of the word agony come from the 1300s. It comes from the Greek agōnia, meaning “struggle,” from agōn, “contest.”
Agony appears in the expression “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat,” which was used in the introduction of the long-running TV show titled Wide World of Sports. The phrase is typically used to contrast the range of intense emotions that can result from a competition that has winners and losers, such as a championship game or an election, with losing sometimes causing agony. Similarly, agony is sometimes contrasted with its extreme opposite, ecstasy—extreme pleasure or joy.
Did you know ... ?
What are some other forms related to agony?
What are some synonyms for agony?
What are some words that share a root or word element with agony?
What are some words that often get used in discussing agony?
How is agony used in real life?
Agony can refer to physical pain, but perhaps most commonly refers to emotional pain.
#21: I have broken my right leg twice: once at age 2 falling out a 2nd story window; again at 6 when hit by a car (femur). Level 11 agony.
— Ursus Draconosaur (@Thrashbear) July 10, 2011
Someone told me yesterday that the absolute refusal to ask for help even when you’re in agony is rooted in trauma and we have been conditioned to look at it as strength. My brain is still processing this.
— Nikita Gill (@nktgill) October 19, 2020
Ghosting is for cowards.
In relationships and in business.
Have the difficult conversation.
Allow yourself to be uncomfortable for a few minutes and spare someone else the agony of wondering where they went wrong.
— Natasha Link (@NatashaLink1) October 24, 2020
Try using agony!
Is agony used correctly in the following sentence?
The ecstasy of having won the election was soon replaced by the agony of realizing that the results were not correct.
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