agony

[ ag-uh-nee ]
/ ˈæg ə ni /

noun, plural ag·o·nies.

extreme and generally prolonged pain; intense physical or mental suffering.
a display or outburst of intense mental or emotional excitement: an agony of joy.
the struggle preceding natural death: mortal agony.
a violent struggle.
(often initial capital letter) Theology. the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.

Origin of agony

1350–1400; Middle English agonye (< Anglo-French) < Late Latin agōnia < Greek, equivalent to agṓn agon + -ia -y3

synonym study for agony

1. See pain.

Example sentences from the Web for agony

British Dictionary definitions for agony

agony
/ (ˈæɡənɪ) /

noun plural -nies

acute physical or mental pain; anguish
the suffering or struggle preceding death
pile on the agony, put on the agony or turn on the agony British informal to exaggerate one's distress for sympathy or greater effect
(modifier) relating to or advising on personal problems about which people have written to the media agony column; agony writer

Word Origin for agony

C14: via Late Latin from Greek agōnia struggle, from agōn contest