extreme and generally prolonged pain; intense physical or mental suffering.
a display or outburst of intense mental or emotional excitement: an agony of joy.
the struggle preceding natural death: mortal agony.
a violent struggle.
Often Agony .Theology. the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.
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: see agon, -y3
SYNONYMS FOR agony
1 anguish, torment, torture.
2 paroxysm.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR agony ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR agony
1 comfort, ease, pleasure.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR agony ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for agony
1. See pain.
Words nearby agony
agonist, agonistic, agonize, agonized, agonizing, agony, agony aunt, agony column, agony uncle, a good deal, good egg, a
I once imagined the agony of illness being the greatest challenge I’d face as a doctor.
Thank You for the 7 PM Clapping, But Camaraderie Is Needed More Than Ever - Facts So Romantic|Ayala Danzig|October 5, 2020|Nautilus
Twice, Raymond Jefferson’s service to his country left him in pain, agony and facing years of recovery.
He was forced to resign after a government report criticized him. Eight years later, the government took it back.|Joe Davidson|September 24, 2020|Washington Post
Truth be told, there is no one better at capturing the agony and alarm of a woman in the throes of a nervous breakdown than Moore.
Julianne Moore Is Oscar Gold in ‘Still Alice’|Marlow Stern|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The agony of being so close to our goal but failing gnaws at our insides while we replay the events over and over in our heads.
Heart of Darkness: Into Afghanistan’s Taliban Valley|Matt Trevithick, Daniel Seckman|November 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Animals in agony or danger are used by Martin Wittfooth, often to hint at the future of the human condition.
Trading Dime Bags for Salvador Dali|Jason McGahan|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Murray lost 6-1 7-6, 6-2 as Kate and William grimaced and groaned in agony with the rest of the nation.
Murray Crashes Out Of Wimbledon As Kate And William Watch|Tom Sykes|July 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Epic heroes, doom-struck warriors, the thrill of victory, and the agony of defeat.
Was Aaron Harrison’s Game-Winning Three-Pointer ‘Clutch’?|Robert Silverman|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The road was almost impassable, and every jolt caused him agony.
Captain Jinks, Hero|Ernest Crosby
"I don't see no sense in prolonging all this agony," averred his despondent companion.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
The agony of her spirit, involved in endless and horrid labyrinths of doubt, is powerfully portrayed.
The Life of Friedrich Schiller|Thomas Carlyle
Nature in an agony is no atheist; the soul that knows not where to fly, flies to God.
Christianity and Greek Philosophy|Benjamin Franklin Cocker
She clung to him in an agony of dread lest he should go, and her sobs grew less frequent.
The Master of the Ceremonies|George Manville Fenn
British Dictionary definitions for agony
agony
/ (ˈæɡənɪ) /
nounplural-nies
acute physical or mental pain; anguish
the suffering or struggle preceding death
pile on the agony, put on the agonyorturn on the agonyBritishinformalto exaggerate one's distress for sympathy or greater effect
(modifier)relating to or advising on personal problems about which people have written to the mediaagony column; agony writer
Word Origin for agony
C14: via Late Latin from Greek agōnia struggle, from agōn contest