agonies of conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agonies of conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the intense emotional pain or distress one feels due to moral dilemmas or guilt. Example: "After betraying his friend, he was plagued by the agonies of conscience, unable to find peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In Peter's case this may in part be a reaction to the fickleness of his father, who was in the habit of switching between religions every few months without apparent agonies of conscience; in Elizabeth's case to her being a convert.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The court clerk choked up as he recalled his agony of conscience.

The New York Times

The stress on the agony of Israeli conscience usurps the suffering of the Palestinians.

The Guardian - Books

In 1657 he was formally offered the title of King, but after an "agony of mind and conscience" turned it down.

Wikipedia

Feeling pangs of conscience?

The New York Times

Voices of Conscience.

University of California, Berkeley

A vote of conscience?

The Guardian - Opinion

A dialogue of conscience.

The Guardian - Books

A drama of conscience.

The Guardian

A man of conscience".

The New Yorker

It is the call of conscience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agonies of conscience" to convey intense emotional and psychological distress stemming from moral conflicts or wrongdoing. Ensure the context clearly establishes the moral dimension of the suffering.

Common error

Avoid using "agonies of conscience" to describe general suffering or distress that lacks a clear moral or ethical basis. The phrase specifically refers to the pain caused by one's own actions or moral awareness, not external hardships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agonies of conscience" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause to describe intense mental or emotional suffering caused by moral or ethical conflicts. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agonies of conscience" is a noun phrase used to describe intense emotional suffering resulting from moral or ethical conflicts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not extremely frequent, its usage is consistent across news, academic, and general contexts, indicating a neutral register. To effectively use the phrase, ensure the context clearly relates to moral or ethical distress, and avoid using it for general suffering without a moral component. Alternatives like "moral anguish" or "pangs of guilt" may provide nuanced variations, as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moral anguish

Focuses specifically on the distress arising from moral conflicts.

pangs of guilt

Highlights the sharp, sudden feelings of guilt.

torment of guilt

Emphasizes the suffering caused by guilt.

ethical distress

Highlights the distress caused by ethical dilemmas.

moral suffering

Focuses on the suffering related to morality.

remorseful suffering

Highlights suffering caused by remorse.

inner turmoil

Refers to a general state of internal conflict and distress.

soul-searching

Emphasizes the process of introspection and moral examination.

crisis of conscience

Focuses on a pivotal moment of moral questioning and decision.

moral quandary

Describes a situation involving difficult moral choices.

FAQs

How can I use "agonies of conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "agonies of conscience" to describe intense feelings of guilt or moral distress after doing something wrong. For example: "After betraying his friend, he was plagued by the "agonies of conscience", unable to find peace."

What are some alternatives to "agonies of conscience"?

Alternatives include "moral anguish", "pangs of guilt", or "ethical distress", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "agony of conscience" instead of "agonies of conscience"?

While "agony of conscience" is understandable, "agonies of conscience" is more common to express the multifaceted and intense nature of moral suffering.

What's the difference between a "crisis of conscience" and "agonies of conscience"?

A "crisis of conscience" refers to a specific moment of moral decision-making, while "agonies of conscience" describes the prolonged suffering and distress that can follow from a moral transgression or dilemma.