: a strong sudden display (as of joy or delight) : outburst
an agony of mirth
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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 WebThe crucifix emphasizes the agony of Jesus’ death and his solidarity with all who suffer.—Tracy Fessenden, The Conversation, 15 July 2024 Read More: Three people, including a child, seriously injured in Florida Keys boat crash
The boy, meanwhile, was screaming in agony throughout the video because of the extent of his injuries.—David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 9 July 2024 It’s become a tragically familiar scene in the Gaza Strip: After seeing her slain son’s corpse, a Palestinian woman screams in agony.—Matt Bradley, NBC News, 6 July 2024 Updated June 16, 2024 at 11:42 p.m. EDT Listen
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INDIANAPOLIS — The glory and the agony of being an elite swimmer in the United States were on full, visceral display Sunday night at the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.—Dave Sheinin, Washington Post, 17 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for agony
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'agony.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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.
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