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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of agony
The reticence of Cartland’s heroes belies agonies of loneliness.
—
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
And your character is in such agony.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Cue convulsions and expressions of agony.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Pure white cloth, born in the murderous toil of slavery, formed in debilitating factory conditions, and finished through the agony of Sicilian children, was bleached in more ways than one.
—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agony
Simon Perry,
PEOPLE,
18 June 2026
And your character is in such agony.
—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
Cue convulsions and expressions of agony.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2026
Pure white cloth, born in the murderous toil of slavery, formed in debilitating factory conditions, and finished through the agony of Sicilian children, was bleached in more ways than one.
—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for agony
Recent Examples of Synonyms for agony
Noun
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Now imagine all their parents having nightmares that this was their university experience.
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From dream home to disaster But faster than a rushing river, that dream became a nightmare when disastrous flooding hit Kerr County last summer.
Noun
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The Hoffmans are suing Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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Not to mention smoking hot Hart Bochner as the himbo-in-distress.
Noun
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Tuesday night's explosion from Contreras had actually been 24 hours in the making.
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Authorities in the wealthy city-state of Monaco have launched a manhunt that’s stretched across the border into France after several people were wounded in an explosion caused by a bomb that was planted in a residential building.
Noun
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The Charlotte region will start feeling like a frying pan come Wednesday, and forecasters expect the sticky misery to linger into next week.
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But the misery of the heat would add to the story told over natural wine at a bar back home.
Noun
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Their mother cried out in anguish.
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Meanwhile, hundreds remained missing, leading to a wave of anguish among relatives and friends.
Noun
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Jennifer Storms, chief marketing officer for NBCUniversal Television and Streaming, said her team has carefully planned the timing of the spots to coincide with the burst of patriotism and celebration around America 250 events.
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Used on the plate (rather than during cooking), finishing salt adds crunch, elegance and a burst of salinity.
Noun
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Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said al-Salem will face a trial of facts next year on murder and torture allegations but he won't be required to appear in court.
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In 2019, David and Louise Turpin pleaded guilty to torture and years of abuse that included shackling some of their 13 children at their home in California, starving them and providing only a minimal education.
Noun
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The families of the victims said the pain is still as raw to this day.
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The first shingles vaccine was licensed in 2006, and the more effective Shingrix vaccine was introduced in 2017, greatly reducing the risk of shingles and long-term nerve pain, according to the CDC and FDA.
Cite this Entry
“Agony.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/agony. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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