Definition of 'agony'

Word Frequency

agony

(ægəni )

Word forms: plural agonies

uncountable noun

Agony is great physical or mental pain.

A new machine may save thousands of animals from the agony of drug tests.

She called out in agony.

As a young man he suffered agonies of religious doubt.

Synonyms: suffering, pain, distress, misery More Synonyms of agony

Video: pronunciation of 'agony'

Word Frequency

agony in British

(ˈæɡənɪ )

noun plural -nies

acute physical or mental pain; anguish

the suffering or struggle preceding death

3. pile on the agony

4. (modifier)

relating to or advising on personal problems about which people have written to the media

agony column

agony writer

Word origin of 'agony'

C14: via Late Latin from Greek agōnia struggle, from agōn contest

Word Frequency

agony in American

(ˈægəni ; agˈənē)

nounWord forms: plural ˈagonies

very great mental or physical pain

death pangs

a convulsive struggle

a sudden, strong outburst (of emotion)

an agony of joy

SIMILAR WORDS: disˈtress

Word origin of 'agony'

ME agonie < L agonia < Gr agōnia, a contest for victory < agōn, agon

Example sentences containing 'agony'

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Footage showed the man writhing in agony as the tigers passed him between them. Times, Sunday Times (2017)He seemed to make that agony more acute in me than it need have been. Jackson, Rosie Mothers who Leave (1994)Will you preserve me from agony and pain and aches? Christianity Today (2000)But our father said they could hardly eat anything because of their mental agony. Times, Sunday Times (2011)The eternal cycle of agony and ecstasy would see ecstasy prevailing. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Turn to our election agony aunts timesonline. Times, Sunday Times (2010)The man yelled in agony before the other cop landed four punches in his face. The Sun (2010)For much of the race we are out of breath and in agony over the physical effort. The Sun (2013)Was it the memory of the agony and pain of childbirth that made her feel so sorrowful? Clerk, Jayana & Siegel, Ruth Modern Literatures of the Non-Western World: Where the Waters Are Born (1995)Our enthusiasm was tempered by the agony and ecstasy of the bus journeys. Davey, Ray Rev. & Cole, John A Channel of Peace (1993)Agony aunts declared it the death of marriage. Times, Sunday Times (2010)At first it was absolute agony with the pain sharpest in the backs of my calves. Frankie Dettori with Jonathan Powell FRANKIE: The Autobiography of Frankie Dettori (2004)Is this a look of agony or ecstasy? Times, Sunday Times (2013)Very few take its physical and emotional agonies to heart as do those in this corner of the country. Times, Sunday Times (2009)The death agony is not pretty. Times, Sunday Times (2006)But agony is piled on agony. Times, Sunday Times (2010)But the agony and anguish remain - as does the hope. The Sun (2010)Soldiers smile as German troops burn to death in agony. The Sun (2014)We were in mental agony, together yet apart. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Eight goals this season and he can pile the agony on struggling Luton. The Sun (2007)Accused is the story of the agony of one man 's life of denial. Times, Sunday Times (2012)For those who do not make it, it will be a mental agony to complement the physical one they have endured. Times, Sunday Times (2015)

Trends of 'agony'

In Common Usage. agony is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'agony'

British English: agony /ˈæɡənɪ/ NOUN

Agony is great physical or mental suffering.

She called out in agony.

American English: agony
Arabic: أَلَمْ سكرة الموت
Brazilian Portuguese: agonia
Chinese: 痛楚
Croatian: agonija
Czech: utrpení
Danish: pine
Dutch: kwelling
European Spanish: agonía
Finnish: tuska
French: agonie
German: Qual
Greek: αγωνία
Italian: agonia
Japanese: 苦悶
Korean: 고통
Norwegian: pine
Polish: agonia
European Portuguese: agonia
Romanian: agonie
Russian: агония
Spanish: agonía
Swedish: vånda
Thai: ความทรมาน
Turkish: ıstırap
Ukrainian: агонія
Vietnamese: cơn đau đớn

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Nearby words of 'agony'

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Definition of agony from the Collins English Dictionary

Demonstratives

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