: a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight) : outburst
an agony of mirth
Did you know?
In Ancient Greece, a public gathering was called agon. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The struggle to win the prize in such contests came to be called agonia. This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the pain that went with it—physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning “intense pain of mind or body,” thus comes from a word that meant a happy celebration.
She was in terrible agony after breaking her leg.
The medicine relieves the agony of muscle cramps very quickly.
It was agony to watch him suffer like that.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Meanwhile, Joseph writhes in the agony of his own newfound girl craziness (and cleavage obsession).—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 7 July 2025 Williams was never offered any other clear pathway to finding relief—even as the agony from her fibroids was getting worse.—Kayla Greaves, SELF, 3 July 2025 Despite the agony of a playoff defeat for my Celtics, the culmination of the NBA season is a massive highlight.—Jeff Chow, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Rhapsody jockeys with agony, beatitude with torment.—Matthew Gavin Frank
june 12, Literary Hub, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for agony
Word History
Etymology
Middle English agonie, borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French agonie, borrowed from Late Latin agōnia, borrowed from Greek agōnía "contest, struggle, anguish," from agṓn "gathering, assembly at games, contest for a prize" (derivative of ágein "to lead, drive") + -ia-y entry 2 — more at agent
Middle English agonie "agony," from Latin agonia (same meaning), from Greek agōnia "struggle," from agōn "gathering, contest for a prize"
Word Origin
In ancient Greece a public gathering was called agōn. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The struggle to win the prize in such contests came to be called agōnia. This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the pain that went with it, physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning "intense pain of mind or body," thus comes from a word that originally meant a happy celebration.
Share