English Explanatory Dictionary

agony

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. Extreme pain or anguish.
  2. The sufferings of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (often capitalized).
  3. Violent contest or striving.
  4. Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
  5. The last struggle of life; death struggle.

Pronunciation

/ˈæɡ.ə.ni/ En-us-agony.ogg /ˈeɪ̯ɡ.ə.ni/ /əˈɡoni/ /ˈaɡɵni/

Word forms

agony agonies

Etymology

14th century, via Old French and Latin from Ancient Greek ἀγωνία (agōnía, “emulation, competition, struggle”), from ἀγών (agṓn, “contest”). Specifically of the struggle that precedes death (mortal agony) from the 1540s. By surface analysis, agon + -y. The sense of "extreme pain" from c. 1600.

Synonyms

anguish torment throe distress pang suffering agony anguishment bereavement living death torture

Antonyms

ecstasy analgesia bliss pleasure

Related words

agon agonal agonise agonist antagonist protagonist agonistes agonize agonizing agonized sad

Derived words

agony aunt agony auntie agony aunty agony box agony column agony-pipe agony uncle
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