misery

[ miz-uh-ree ]

noun

, plural mis·er·ies.

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

In addition to the idiom beginning with misery , also see put someone out of his or her misery .

Synonym Study

See sorrow.

Example Sentences

"There are millions of people suffering, families being hit financially, people in misery and pain, and we have got to tackle this."

From BBC

In the mid-1800s, famed naturalist Charles Darwin wrote that "the lower animals, like man, manifestly feel pleasure and pain, happiness and misery."

From Science Daily

"We are doing all we can to reduce thefts and pursue offenders, especially those prolific and habitual offenders, who cause misery within the community," said Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman, the NPCC’s lead for acquisitive crime.

From BBC

The Israeli armed forces have inflicted untold misery on the civilian population of Gaza in retaliation for the grotesque Hamas attacks of Oct.

From Los Angeles Times

By underscoring the details of their misery, Conte has not only bought time but ensured that should he turn it all around, he will be recognised for accomplishing an immense feat, a minor miracle.

From BBC

Related Words

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