physical agony

USAGE SUMMARY

'physical agony' is a correct and usable form of written English.
You can use it to refer to extreme physical pain or distress. For example: After a particularly grueling workout, she was in physical agony.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The treatment caused her shocking physical agony.

The Guardian - Books

"Woman" is an essay on specific spasms of physical agony.

The New Yorker

He knew that he could expect nothing from the race ahead except extreme physical agony.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In physical agony and emotionally battered, he is then collected from the station by his wife.

The Guardian - Opinion

For 10 years, Philoctetes survives alone, embittered and in physical agony.

The Guardian - Books

The writer describes Tamar Lowenstein's decision to have an autologous transplant and the physical agony she endured after the procedure.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

I am humbled by his determination to minimize his mental and physical agonies while moving relentlessly ahead with the aid of family, friends and doctors to maximize his future.

The New York Times

Cycling is an excruciating sport — a rider's power is only as great as his capacity to endure pain — and it is often remarked that the best cyclists experience their physical agonies as a relief from private torments.

The New Yorker

Cycling is an excruciating sport a rider's power is only as great as his capacity to endure pain and it is often remarked that the best cyclists experience their physical agonies as a relief from private torments.

The New Yorker

The novel describes in visceral detail the experience of trench warfare, including the carnage of the battle of the Somme, and juxtaposes the physical agonies of battle with the sensual delight of a passionate love affair that took place in the same part of France a few years before.

The Guardian

They fired BBs into the side of the shop, hitting the owner and causing "extreme physical pain, agony, emotional distress, trauma and fright".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "physical agony" when you want to emphasize not only the presence of severe physical pain but also the intense suffering and distress that accompanies it. It is suitable for conveying a sense of extreme discomfort and hardship.

Common error

While "physical agony" is a correct phrase, it can sound overly dramatic in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler terms like "intense pain" or "severe discomfort" in informal settings to avoid sounding hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physical agony" functions as a noun phrase, where "physical" is an adjective modifying the noun "agony". It describes a state of intense bodily suffering. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe the results of medical procedures or extreme athletic performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Books

13%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Wiki

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "physical agony" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe intense physical suffering. According to Ludwig, the phrase is deemed correct and usable for referring to extreme physical pain or distress. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Book contexts. While appropriate for formal and neutral registers, be mindful of overuse in informal settings, where simpler terms may be more suitable. The phrase implies a significantly higher level of suffering than just general physical pain. Consider alternatives like "intense physical suffering" or "excruciating physical pain" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excruciating physical pain

Replaces "agony" with "excruciating" to amplify the level of pain.

intense physical suffering

Emphasizes the suffering aspect of physical pain, differing in its focus on the emotional experience alongside the physical.

extreme physical torment

Uses "torment" to convey a sense of prolonged and agonizing physical suffering.

extreme bodily pain

Highlights the intensity and bodily location of the pain, changing "agony" to a more descriptive term.

acute physical suffering

Highlights the sudden and severe onset of physical suffering.

grueling physical pain

Focuses on the exhausting and demanding nature of the physical pain.

severe physical discomfort

Focuses on the discomfort experienced, which can be a milder but still significant form of physical distress.

intolerable physical discomfort

Emphasizes the inability to bear the physical discomfort, indicating a high level of distress.

debilitating physical distress

Emphasizes the disabling effect of physical suffering.

unbearable bodily sensations

Shifts the focus to the sensory experience of pain, making it more descriptive.

FAQs

How can I use "physical agony" in a sentence?

"Physical agony" is used to describe extreme physical pain or suffering. For example: "The treatment caused her shocking "physical agony"." or "He knew that he could expect nothing from the race ahead except extreme "physical agony"."

What's a less dramatic alternative to "physical agony"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "intense pain", "severe discomfort", or "excruciating pain" as less dramatic alternatives to "physical agony".

Is "physical agony" the same as "physical pain"?

While both phrases refer to bodily discomfort, "physical agony" implies a much higher degree of suffering than general "physical pain". Agony suggests an almost unbearable level of distress.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "physical agony"?

"Physical agony" is most appropriate in formal writing, journalistic contexts, or when describing extreme suffering, such as in medical narratives or historical accounts. It may sound overly dramatic in casual conversation.