agony

ag·o·ny

noun \ˈa-gə-nē\

: extreme mental or physical pain

plural ag·o·nies

Full Definition of AGONY

1

a :  intense pain of mind or body :  anguish, torture

b :  the struggle that precedes death

2

:  a violent struggle or contest

3

:  a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight) :  outburst

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Examples of AGONY

1. She was in terrible agony after breaking her leg.
2. The medicine relieves the agony of muscle cramps very quickly.
3. It was agony to watch him suffer like that.

Origin of AGONY

Middle English agonie, from Late Latin agonia, from Greek agōnia struggle, anguish, from agōn gathering, contest for a prize, from agein to lead, celebrate — more at agent

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AGONY

Synonyms

hell, Gehenna, horror, misery, murder, nightmare, torment, torture

Antonyms

heaven, paradise

Related Words

affliction, calvary, cross, curse, ordeal, trial, tribulation; calamity, misfortune, tragedy; gall, thorn; bummer, downer, drag

Near Antonyms

delight, diversion, entertainment, fun, joy, pleasure, recreation; lark, picnic, riot

See Synonym Discussion at distress

ag·o·ny

noun \ˈag-ə-nē\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ag·o·nies

Medical Definition of AGONY

1

: intense pain of mind or body

2

: the struggle that precedes death