1
as in agony
a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness
the flood brought misery to the many hundreds whom it had made homeless
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
a medication that promises to provide greater relief to those living in chronic misery because of arthritis
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of misery
The latest chapter of the Buffalo Bills’ postseason misery ended with controversy.
—
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Because of a decision made decades before by frightened parents, these babies may grow up to suffer the misery of cancer — and, always, the risk of passing the curse of illness to future generations.
—Emilie G.c. Thompson, STAT, 15 Jan. 2026
One day, to break away from his misery, the narrator goes on a hike.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Carson Beck was the hero, extinguishing Miami’s 0-4 misery at the Fiesta Bowl.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misery
Patrick Saunders, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Because of a decision made decades before by frightened parents, these babies may grow up to suffer the misery of cancer — and, always, the risk of passing the curse of illness to future generations.
—Emilie G.c. Thompson, STAT, 15 Jan. 2026
One day, to break away from his misery, the narrator goes on a hike.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
Carson Beck was the hero, extinguishing Miami’s 0-4 misery at the Fiesta Bowl.
—The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for misery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery
Noun
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Neither Kleckner, nor her artmaking, was all agony and activism, however.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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The name refers to the agony the local fishermen’s wives endured while their husbands spent long, dangerous days at sea.—
Ryan McCarthy,
Saveur,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And don't sprinkle your plants or the soil with red pepper, which can cause irritation and distress.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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Portrayals of girls and women in conditions of acute hardship or distress are a common theme of the collection.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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My vain hope today is to convince my newfound anti-Trump allies (who have disliked my years of writing against progressive policies) to view the current national nightmare as a teachable moment.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
23 Jan. 2026
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How to keep your pipes from freezing Frozen pipes are a nightmare to deal with when the temperature drops, but it can be prevented.—
Katie Landeck,
The Providence Journal,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The barrage of images broadcast out of Minneapolis and surrounding regions depict violent and brutal encounters and capture moments of utter fear, pain and confusion.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
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Mark Yee was driving and, while responding to pain, was unconscious and, unfortunately, looks to have paralysis in both his arms and legs.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Advertisement The atrocities and methods of torture were almost too much to absorb.—
Sally Susman,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
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Kristi Noem, the head of the Department of Homeland Security, posed in front of a group of immigrants sent to a torture site in El Salvador, in a show of sadistic titillation.—
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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However, the announcement has not dispelled the uncertainty or anguish among detainees’ families.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
12 Jan. 2026
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Nacua lay on the turf at Bank of America Stadium, not in physical pain but instead in mental anguish.—
Adam Grosbard,
Oc Register,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As America watched, awe turned to horror as the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after liftoff because of a rupture in one of its solid-fuel boosters, killing everyone on board.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
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The film plays on the real-life horrors of conversion therapy and stars Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie, Nicholas Hope, Zahra Newman, and Mia Wasikowska.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Growth reframed Few topics generate as much discomfort as growth.—
Chris Bradley,
Fortune,
21 Jan. 2026
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Consuming more can cause heartburn, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort.—
Mark Gurarie,
Health,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Misery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misery. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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