agony

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'agony' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difficult, emotionally painful experience. Example: She experienced agonizing pain as the cancer slowly took over her body.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Film

Opinion

Arts

Books

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You should vote for them if: You don't value life and secretly want to spend your dying moments writhing around in agony as your body is consumed by a fiery galactic orb.

The Guardian

He added: "More and more people think it is some kind of attempt to prolong the agony for Mr Blair facing possible war crimes charges".

The Guardian

As Beglin lay on the floor taut with agony, players from both sides pursued the referee in a panic, while in commentary Barry Davies quickly appreciated the gravity of the situation, his delivery racked with urgency.

The Guardian - Sport

Boyhood is a frontrunner to win best film, with a best supporting actress prize for Patricia Arquette, who plays the mother of the boy (Ellar Coltrane): Arquette deserves it for her heartbreaking moment of empty-nest agony and fear of death at the film's end.

The Guardian - Film

Her best friend Anita (or "Needy" – one of Cody's slightly too clever clever emblematic names) Lesnicki, played by Amanda Seyfried of Big Love, Veronica Mars and Mamma Mia!, has known her since they were three ("Sandbox love never dies," she notes in voiceover), and acts as her sounding board, agony aunt and punching bag without complaint.

The Guardian - Film

Playing against 14 men, Quins piled on the agony with the last move of the first half.

The Guardian - Sport

The former Chelsea defender David Luiz, whose tears after Brazil's World Cup exit summed up the nation's agony, was all smiles following the win.

The Guardian - Sport

His body was ablaze as he staggered in circles in mute agony.

The Guardian

Clint Eastwood does well to show Kyle's moral injury – not the guilt of taking lives, but the agony of not saving enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

Every waking moment is now plagued with the thought of good old "Blunty" bellowing Goodbye My Lover up the royal cervix; of him emerging from the hospital to give a nonchalant interview: "I just make music for myself and if the Duchess of Cambridge, screaming for an epidural and tearfully pleading for the agony to stop, likes it, it's a bonus".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The top, to soothe the agony of labour via his own multiplatinum brand of mellifluous melancholy?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agony" to describe intense physical or emotional suffering when you want to convey a sense of extreme distress.

Common error

Avoid using "agony" to describe mild discomfort or minor inconveniences. It's best reserved for situations involving significant suffering to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "agony" functions primarily as a noun, denoting intense physical or mental suffering. Ludwig highlights numerous examples where it describes states of extreme distress. It can also function as a collective abstraction to represent struggle.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Sport

12%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Film

7%

Opinion

7%

Arts

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agony" is a noun that effectively conveys profound physical or emotional suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage. It is frequently found in contexts such as news, sports, and lifestyle articles to emphasize the severity of situations. Related phrases include "intense suffering" and "excruciating pain". When writing, reserve the term for situations genuinely involving extreme distress to maintain its impact. The word's versatility allows it to be employed in various registers, making it a powerful tool for impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense suffering

Focuses on the state of suffering, emphasizing its intensity.

acute pain

Emphasizes the sharpness and severity of the pain experienced.

excruciating pain

Highlights the unbearable nature of the pain.

deep distress

Shifts the focus to emotional suffering rather than physical.

severe torment

Implies a prolonged and intense form of suffering.

extreme anguish

Focuses on the mental and emotional distress experienced.

intolerable pain

Emphasizes the inability to withstand the pain.

unbearable suffering

Highlights the overwhelming nature of the suffering.

wrenching sorrow

Describes a sorrow that is deeply painful and emotionally impactful.

heartrending grief

Focuses on the profound sadness and grief experienced.

FAQs

How can I use "agony" in a sentence?

You can use "agony" to describe extreme physical or mental suffering. For example, "She was in "extreme agony" after the accident" or "He suffered the "agony of defeat" after losing the championship game".

What are some synonyms for "agony"?

Some synonyms for "agony" include "suffering", "anguish", "torment", and "distress". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "agony" a formal or informal word?

"Agony" is generally considered a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is often found in more serious or dramatic writing.

What's the difference between "agony" and "pain"?

"Agony" implies a much more intense and prolonged suffering than "pain". While "pain" can refer to mild discomfort, "agony" suggests an extreme level of distress that is almost unbearable.