misery

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'misery' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a feeling of emotional distress, such as unhappiness, sadness, or depression. For example: "The long days of enforced confinement left him feeling nothing but misery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Sport

Lifestyle

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That necessitates, at some level, a strategy that can be described as "calculated misery".

The Economist

Whitechapel, he considered, had been much belied, and many of his fellow countrymen had come away from it with preposterous stories of murder and misery.

The Guardian - Books

You get annoyed about things in real life and then the tragic thing is that while you are moaning on the awful injustice and suffering of something, something grimly comic will then strike you about it, like a parasite feeding off the misery of the world.

The Guardian

In contrast to the misery in which they trade, Libya's people smugglers make big profits.

The Guardian

For those who are fished out of the sea – and there has been on average 500 a day this year – the misery is not yet over.

The Guardian

From the stage the actors could see the misery etched on their faces, condemned to sit in a sweltering theatre and watch a play about heterosexual and homosexual love in New York when all their mates were down the pub screaming advice at Paul Gascoigne.

The Guardian

"We live in the most unequal part of the world, which has grown the most, yet reduced misery the least," he said in 2007.

The Guardian

"We'll crack down on anyone who takes an irresponsible approach to roadworks without regard to the travel misery they can so often cause.

The Guardian

In failing to have ambitious enough plans to end the misery of millions of families shivering in poorly insulated homes, Miliband is not only missing a huge opportunity to save the NHS billions of pounds, he's also missing the chance to show he can say "boo" to Mr Osborne and make big, bold decisions when it matters.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, the images of misery I had just seen were not fabricated, they were real.

The Guardian - Opinion

The shadow transport secretary, Michael Dugher, said: "At Christmas, we saw a combination of chaos and incompetence on the railway, causing misery".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "misery" to describe a profound state of unhappiness or suffering. Ensure the context aligns with the intensity of the term.

Common error

Avoid using "misery" to describe everyday inconveniences or minor disappointments. Reserve it for situations involving significant suffering or distress to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "misery" is as a noun, denoting a state of great unhappiness or suffering. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing conditions or feelings of extreme distress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Opinion

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Lifestyle

5%

Books

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "misery" effectively conveys a profound state of unhappiness or suffering, serving primarily as a noun. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical standing and widespread usability across various contexts. Its high frequency in news media and opinion pieces underscores its role in describing significant distress. When writing, reserve "misery" for situations genuinely involving great suffering to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "suffering" or "unhappiness" may be more appropriate for less severe situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffering

Focuses more on the experience of enduring pain or hardship.

unhappiness

Emphasizes the lack of joy or contentment.

distress

Highlights the state of being in great trouble or danger.

wretchedness

Implies a state of extreme unhappiness or misfortune.

anguish

Suggests severe mental or physical suffering.

sorrow

Conveys a feeling of deep sadness or regret.

agony

Denotes intense physical or mental pain.

torment

Implies severe suffering, often of a prolonged nature.

despair

Highlights a complete loss or absence of hope.

tribulation

Refers to a cause of great trouble or suffering.

FAQs

How can I use "misery" in a sentence?

Use "misery" to describe a state of extreme unhappiness or suffering. For example, "The war brought only "suffering" and "misery" to the civilian population".

What are some alternatives to the word "misery"?

You can use alternatives like "suffering", "unhappiness", or "distress" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "misery"?

It is appropriate to use "misery" when describing profound unhappiness, distress, or suffering, often caused by significant events or circumstances. Avoid using it for minor inconveniences.

Is "misery" a formal or informal word?

"Misery" is a neutral word that can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is often used when conveying serious or somber tones. Its appropriateness depends on the context and the degree of suffering being described.