Synonyms of agony

agony

noun

ˈa-gə-nē 

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

• nightmare
• misery
• torture
• horror
• torment
• murder
• hell
• curse
• ordeal
• tragedy
• misfortune
• calamity
• tribulation
• Gehenna
• cross
• trial
• affliction
• thorn
• calvary
• drag
• gall
• downer
• bummer

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• heaven
• joy
• pleasure
• delight
• recreation
• entertainment
• fun
• paradise
• diversion
• riot
• picnic
• lark

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

• distress
• misery
• anguish
• pain
• discomfort
• torment
• torture
• tribulation
• woe
• excruciation
• sorrow
• hurt
• pang
• sadness
• travail
• heartbreak
• hardship
• rack
• strait(s)
• difficulty
• affliction
• trouble
• danger
• heartache
• ache
• unhappiness
• emergency
• crucible
• cross
• joylessness
• soreness
• trial
• jeopardy
• twinge
• stitch
• throe
• pinch
• rigor
• smarting
• asperity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• relief
• comfort
• consolation
• solace
• ease
• alleviation
• peace
• security
• assuagement
• well-being

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

• explosion
• burst
• outburst
• eruption
• blaze
• spasm
• flash
• gust
• paroxysm
• gale
• flare
• flush
• frenzy
• storm
• gush
• ebullition
• fit
• ecstasy
• rage
• flare-up
• rapture
• tantrum
• delirium
• transport
• blowup
• firestorm
• furor
• grouch

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun agony differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of agony are distress, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

Where would distress be a reasonable alternative to agony?

The words distress and agony are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When is it sensible to use misery instead of agony?

The meanings of misery and agony largely overlap; however, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When is suffering a more appropriate choice than agony?

In some situations, the words suffering and agony are roughly equivalent. However, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of agony

This multi-generational story explores the beauty, agony, and hilarity of loving other people deeply. —Angelique Jackson, Variety, 8 May 2026

Hidden is the agony of parents mourning the loss of their babies. —Lee Hutchinson, ArsTechnica, 6 May 2026

The breakup with Claude is why Mathias left Lyon and radically changed his life, and their encounter brings his romantic agony rushing back. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 Apr. 2026

That’s a woman reaching up in agony and fear. —Abid Rahman, HollywoodReporter, 28 Apr. 2026