“Agony” refers to intense physical or emotional pain and suffering. It describes a state of extreme discomfort or distress, whether it’s due to a physical injury, emotional turmoil, or any challenging situation that causes significant anguish.
Meaning and definition of agony
Here are several meanings of agony:
- Physical Pain: Agony can mean a strong, hurting feeling in your body, like when you have a severe injury or illness.
- Emotional Distress: It also refers to deep emotional pain, like when you’re extremely sad, upset, or going through a tough time that makes you feel really bad inside.
- Struggle or Difficulty: Agony might describe the tough and challenging moments you face, like when something is really hard or you’re dealing with a difficult situation.
- Extreme Effort or Strain: Sometimes, it’s used to express a lot of effort or difficulty in doing something, as if you’re pushing yourself really hard.
- Intense Desire or Longing: Agony can represent a strong, almost painful desire or longing for something, like when you really, really want something but can’t have it.
Grammatical uses of agony
- Noun (Common Noun): Agony is commonly used as a noun to refer to a state of intense pain or suffering, whether physical or emotional.
- Example: “The injured animal experienced agony as it tried to move.”
- Verb (Rare Usage): Although less common, ‘agony’ can be used as a verb to describe the act of experiencing intense pain or suffering.
- Example: “She agonized over the decision, feeling torn between two choices.”
- Adjective (Rare Usage): In rare instances, ‘agony’ can be used as an adjective to describe something causing great pain or distress.
- Example: “The news brought an agony-filled silence to the room.”
- Idiomatic Expression: “In Agony” – This phrase is used to express someone being in a state of extreme pain or distress.
- Example: “The patient was in agony, waiting for the pain relief to take effect.”
Grammatical forms of agony
The word “agony” primarily functions as a noun, but it doesn’t have common variations like verb or adjective forms. However, you can use it in different grammatical contexts to convey various meanings. Here are some ways ‘agony’ can be used:
Plural Form: “Agonies”
- This is the plural form of ‘agony,’ used when referring to multiple instances of intense pain or suffering.
- Example: “The soldiers faced agonies during the war, but their bravery was unwavering.”
Adjective Form: “Agonizing”
- This adjective describes something causing extreme pain, distress, or difficulty.
- Example: “The wait for the test results was agonizing for the anxious student.”
Adverb Form: “Agonizingly”
- This adverb describes how an action is done with extreme pain or distress.
- Example: “The minutes ticked by agonizingly slow as he waited for the news.”
Adjective Form: “Agonized”
- This adjective describes a state of being in intense pain or anguish.
- Example: “His agonized expression revealed the depth of his emotional turmoil.”
How to pronounce agony?
The word “agony” is pronounced as “AG-uh-nee.” Here’s a breakdown:
- AG: Pronounced like the ‘ag’ in “bag.”
- uh: Similar to the ‘a’ sound in “sofa.”
- nee: Rhymes with “knee.”
So, when you put it all together, it’s AG-uh-nee.
Synonyms and antonyms of agony
Synonyms (similar meanings):
- Pain
- Suffering
- Torment
- Distress
- Anguish
- Misery
- Torture
- Affliction
- Grief
- Woe
Antonyms (opposite meanings):
- Comfort
- Pleasure
- Joy
- Happiness
- Contentment
- Relief
- Easiness
- Bliss
- Delight
- Satisfaction
Sentence examples of ‘agony’ for spoken English
Here are some examples of sentences using the word ‘agony’ along with tips for incorporating them into your spoken English:
1. Example: “She went through the agony of losing her beloved pet.”
- Tip: When discussing personal experiences, use “agony” to convey deep emotional pain or distress.
2. Example: “The athlete experienced agony as he pushed his body to the limit during the intense training session.”
- Tip: Apply “agony” to describe physical pain or extreme effort in activities like sports or workouts.
3. Example: “Waiting for the exam results was pure agony for the anxious students.”
- Tip: Use “agony” to express the intense anticipation or nervousness associated with waiting for an outcome.
4. Example: “The character’s face showed the agony of betrayal in the movie.”
- Tip: Apply “agony” when discussing emotions conveyed through facial expressions or body language.
5. Example: “The hiker felt the agony of exhaustion after climbing the steep mountain.”
- Tip: Use “agony” to describe the physical strain or fatigue in challenging situations.
Tips for usage:
- Context Matters: Consider the context to ensure the appropriate use of ‘agony’—whether it’s physical pain, emotional distress, or a challenging situation.
- Vary Your Expressions: While ‘agony’ is a powerful word, try using synonyms occasionally to enhance your language skills and convey nuances.
- Practice Pronunciation: Pronounce “agony” clearly to ensure effective communication in spoken English.
- Natural Integration: Integrate new words like ‘agony’ into your vocabulary gradually and use them in situations where they fit naturally.
Here are more examples:
- The marathon runner pushed through the agony of muscle cramps to reach the finish line.
- The breakup brought him the agony of heartache, and he struggled to move on.
- The patient endured the agonies of a long recovery after the surgery.
- The artist captured the agony of war in a powerful and emotional painting.
- Losing the key match in the final seconds was an agony for the team.
- Witnessing the accident was an agony that stayed with her for years.
- The unexpected failure of the project caused agony among the team members.
- The students faced the agony of a challenging exam, but their hard work paid off.
- His constant self-doubt was an agony that hindered his personal growth.
- Facing rejection after months of job hunting was an agony she never expected.
Examples from web articles
Example 1: “When you’re dealing with the agony of burning eyes, cooling them down is a quick and easy way to get relief.” [WikiHow]
- Usage: In this example, ‘agony’ is used to describe the intense discomfort or pain associated with burning eyes. It emphasizes the severity of the sensation.
- Grammar Sense: ‘Agony’ functions as a noun and is the object of the preposition “of,” linking it to the burning eyes.
Example 2: “They may constantly use you for their own benefits, and you might feel as though the agony will never end.” [WikiHow]
- Usage: Here, ‘agony’ is used to express a prolonged and intense emotional suffering, suggesting that the feeling of being used is causing significant distress.
- Grammar Sense: ‘Agony’ serves as a noun and is the subject of the sentence, indicating the emotional pain experienced.
Example 3: “You do this by start noticing your thoughts, notice you are the noticer of your thoughts and cannot be your thoughts, cannot be the one that is in agony, you are that which is aware of it.” [Quora]
- Usage: In this instance, ‘agony’ is used to convey emotional distress or suffering. The context suggests a mental or emotional struggle.
- Grammar Sense: ‘Agony’ functions as a noun and is the object of the preposition “in,” connecting it to the mental or emotional state being discussed.
In all three examples, ‘agony’ is used as a noun to describe different aspects of discomfort, pain, or emotional suffering, showcasing its versatility in expressing intense experiences.
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