emotional misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "emotional misery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of deep emotional suffering or distress. Example: "After the breakup, she fell into a state of emotional misery that was hard to overcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Why live to 100 if those last years will be marred by physical and emotional misery?

The New York Times - Health

He insisted that falling ill can be the first step in self-cure and that, in safe surroundings, this existential journey can be a route to recovery from the emotional misery that is rooted in our experiences of others.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

His children, Louisa (Rachel Botchan and Tom Sean McNallll), are victims of such harsh ideology; each suborned by the emotional misery of their lives.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Since then, he has endured, he writes with understandable exaggeration, a "lifetime of emotional pain and misery".

The Guardian - Books

Black metal's default emotional setting is misery.

Vice

It is things like death or misery or painful emotional states which are in question.

SEP

The impact of musculoskeletal pain is not only the unpleasant sensory experience but also an emotional experience with feelings of failure, misery, guilt, alienation, and co-morbid depression [2, 3].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Hardy's novels, in my experience (admittedly a long time ago, when I was going through a serious misery-lit phase), are emotional marathons.

The Guardian - Books

Please, somebody, cowboy or idiot, star or sub, please take everybody -- even those of us who observe from an emotional distance -- out of this ancient misery.

The New York Times - Sports

Even though they were subject to terrible mental and emotional distress, Woolf dismissed her servants' fury or misery as hysterics, as if sensitivity only kicked in on a certain rung of the class structure.

The Guardian - Books

PROMIS Short Form v1.0 - Emotional Distress- Anxiety 7a measures "fear, anxious misery, hyperarousal, and somatic symptoms related to arousal" [ 7].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's internal state in fiction, use "emotional misery" to convey a sense of prolonged suffering rather than a fleeting moment of sadness. Add descriptive adjectives such as "overwhelming emotional misery" for intensity.

Common error

Avoid using "emotional misery" in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or clinical terms like "psychological distress" or "affective disorder" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "emotional misery" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes a state or condition, as evidenced by Ludwig, which identifies it as a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "emotional misery" is a valid and frequently used noun phrase to describe a state of profound unhappiness or suffering. As indicated by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears commonly in diverse contexts, including news and scientific publications. While versatile, consider using more formal alternatives like "psychological distress" in academic settings. The phrase serves to express intense negative feelings, and is commonly found in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its role in both reporting and discussing emotional states.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emotional suffering

Focuses on the experience of enduring emotional pain; a more general term.

psychological anguish

Highlights the mental and emotional torment experienced.

deep sorrow

Emphasizes a profound sense of sadness and loss.

emotional distress

A broader term encompassing various negative emotional states.

heartache

Specifically refers to emotional pain related to loss or disappointment in love.

despair

Indicates a state of hopelessness and loss of courage.

mental anguish

Focuses on mental suffering and torment.

unhappiness

A general state of not being happy or content.

grief

Typically associated with mourning a loss.

wretchedness

Suggests a state of extreme unhappiness or misery.

FAQs

How can I use "emotional misery" in a sentence?

You can use "emotional misery" to describe a state of deep unhappiness or suffering. For example: "After the loss of her job, she sank into a period of intense emotional misery."

What is a more formal alternative to "emotional misery"?

In more formal contexts, consider using terms like "psychological distress", "affective disorder", or "mental anguish".

Is "emotional misery" the same as depression?

"Emotional misery" describes a state of unhappiness, while depression is a clinical diagnosis. "Emotional misery" can be a symptom of depression, but they are not interchangeable terms.

What are some common causes of "emotional misery"?

Common causes include loss, trauma, relationship problems, and chronic stress. Addressing these underlying issues is crucial for alleviating the "emotional misery".