agony

ag-o-ny · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    Extreme physical pain or suffering.

  2. 2.

    Extreme mental or emotional suffering; anguish.

Forms

plural: agonies

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    in agony — Suffering extreme pain.
  • •
    agony aunt/uncle — (British) A newspaper columnist who gives advice on personal problems.
  • •
    pile on the agony — To emphasize difficulties or suffering dramatically.
  • •
    the agony and the ecstasy — The extreme highs and lows of an experience.
  • •
    prolong the agony — To extend a period of suffering or suspense.

Related words

Antonyms: comfort, pleasure, relief
See also: agonize, pain, torment
Synonyms: anguish, pain, suffering, torment

Etymology

From Late Latin agonia, from Greek agonia ("a struggle for victory, great anguish"), from agon ("assembly, contest"). Originally referred to the struggle or contest in athletics before developing the sense of pain and suffering.