MISERY Synonyms: 78 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'misery' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of misery are agony , distress , and suffering . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

Q: When could 'agony' be used to replace 'misery'?

The synonyms agony and misery are sometimes interchangeable, but agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

Q: When is it sensible to use 'distress' instead of 'misery'?

The meanings of distress and misery largely overlap; however, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. // the hurricane put everyone in great distress

Q: When is 'suffering' a more appropriate choice than 'misery'?

The words suffering and misery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

misery

noun

ˈmi-zə-rē

Definition of misery next

as in agony

a situation or state that causes great suffering and unhappiness the flood brought misery to the many hundreds whom it had made homeless

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind a medication that promises to provide greater relief to those living in chronic misery because of arthritis

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the noun misery differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of misery are agony, distress, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When could agony be used to replace misery?

The synonyms agony and misery are sometimes interchangeable, but agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When is it sensible to use distress instead of misery?

The meanings of distress and misery largely overlap; however, distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When is suffering a more appropriate choice than misery?

The words suffering and misery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of misery Tula insisting on using the poison to put Orry’s horse out of its misery rather than a blunter object hints at the subtlety that separates her from the megaphone-loud blasts of her sister’s voice. —

Scott Tobias, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2024 While there are notable and beautiful bright spots to All or Nothing (most of which go to infallible Leigh regular Ruth Sheen), the film really doubles down on the ambient misery of these people’s lives. —

Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024 Adults explain little to her—the possibility of death lies beyond her field of vision—which gives the vivid misery of her treatment a fairy-tale quality. —

Molly Fischer, The New Yorker, 4 Dec. 2024 The misery of the Thanksgiving turkey In 2023, my colleague Kenny Torrella published a wrenching investigation into conditions in the US turkey industry. —

Marina Bolotnikova, Vox, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for misery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery

Noun

The project, inspired by Becky's Mexican roots and the death of her grandfather Miguel, bursts with emotive lyrics that earnestly capture the euphoria and agony of all-consuming love.

Pamela Avila, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
In just over three minutes, Phair manages to capture the agony and discomfort of a relationship that’s just beginning to sour.

Emma Specter, Vogue, 17 Dec. 2024