noun
agony
AG-uh-nee
noun
1
Extreme physical pain or mental suffering.
"He was in agony after breaking his arm."
"She watched in agony as the results were read out."
How to Use Agony
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSevere pain or distress, whether it's a physical injury or an unbearable wait for news.
Common pairings
in agony
agony of waiting
scream in agony
Word Forms
agonies plural
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He was in _____ after breaking his arm.
Etymology
From Greek agonia, "struggle, contest," from agon, "a contest" — originally describing the intense struggle before death, later broadened to any extreme suffering.