1
as in nightmare
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
waiting all those hours to hear if he'd survived the plane crash was pure agony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
the agony of never knowing what happened to her son
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in explosion
a sudden intense expression of strong feeling
the announcement that the war was over unleashed a mass agony of joy
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agony
Or maybe the ambivalence is really about art, the agony and bliss of being chained to the drawing board.
—
Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Listen to this article 3 min Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick shared the agony of her relationship and breakup with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, during an appearance on the Sage Steele Show.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
But playing with an already-strained right calf, the Oshkosh, Wis., native stepped awkwardly towards the basket and crumbled to the court in agony when his leg appeared to pop.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 24 June 2025
Finding alternatives that would end this agony would be one of American science’s most important achievements.
—Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agony
Charlie Tyson, New Yorker, 4 June 2025
Listen to this article 3 min Former NASCAR driver Danica Patrick shared the agony of her relationship and breakup with NFL star Aaron Rodgers, during an appearance on the Sage Steele Show.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025
But playing with an already-strained right calf, the Oshkosh, Wis., native stepped awkwardly towards the basket and crumbled to the court in agony when his leg appeared to pop.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 24 June 2025
Finding alternatives that would end this agony would be one of American science’s most important achievements.
—Rachel Fobar, Vox, 14 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for agony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agony
Noun
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What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Brown said a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an allergic reaction, with symptoms including hives, gastrointestinal distress and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Tiffany had shown no indication of being depressed or in emotional distress.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
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The Yankees’ double-digit explosion on a rainy night provided plenty of breathing room for a bullpen that has been taxed and decimated by injuries.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
9 July 2025
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These new requirements, including this relatively tight deadline, could trigger an explosion of litigation across the state as condo associations begin to reassess governing documents, assessment structures, and recorded declarations, Pardo said.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Fortune said Thursday that the Obama administration gave Haitians temporary protective status after an earthquake devastated Haiti, multiplying the island’s many miseries.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
3 July 2025
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The season ends with so many of the characters on the verge of a path to proper fulfillment; why prolong their misery?—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
Noun
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But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
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Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
The galaxy can be seen undergoing a burst of star formation thanks to the tidal influence of a galactic neighbor, with the glowing red form of an emission nebula visible throughout, giving the impression of a cosmic firework display.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
13 July 2025
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The raging river bursts from its banks around this time, sweeping homes, cars, campers and cabins downstream.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Noun
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Seeing how she was broken down and dehumanized through torture and isolation, definitely reflected the lengths humans will go to in order to survive.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
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Colleagues and former patients' families expressed concern for Soliman's safety if deported back to Egypt, citing fears of persecution and torture.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
Noun
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However, not everyone is empathetic enough to understand that this pain is ongoing.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
7 July 2025
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Opioid pain relievers, such as oxycodone or morphine, can also disrupt the body’s ability to manage heat, triggering perspiration.—
Lauryn Higgins,
Time,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Agony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agony. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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