misery

noun

ˈmi-zə-rē How to pronounce misery (audio)
Definition of miserynext
1
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

Synonym Chooser

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

Example 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 The season ends with so many of the characters on the verge of a path to proper fulfillment; why prolong their misery? —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 26 June 2025 Gaza remains stuck in a bloody limbo of misery and death. —CBS News, 22 June 2025 Humidity is adding to the misery Oppressive humidity is accompanying the heat wave, according to Weather.com meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. —Doyle Rice, USA Today, 25 June 2025 Cuomo, age 67 and one of the last powerful men to succumb to the #MeToo movement, is an unlikely standard-bearer for a Democratic Party desperate to move on from the miseries of the past decade, but New York politics isn’t famous for its uncomplicated options. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for misery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery
  1. agony
  2. distress
  3. nightmare
  4. pain
  5. torture
  6. anguish
  7. horror
  8. discomfort
Noun
  • The point isn’t just to resolve in-the-moment agony.
    — Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025
  • Jamal Musiala was writhing in agony, but what really hit hard was the way players on both teams were reacting to the Bayern Munich forward’s injury.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Definition of agony
Noun
  • Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.
    — Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025
  • Phillips hid the pregnancy and acted under extreme emotional distress, citing financial struggles and homelessness at the time, her lawyer said.
    — Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of distress
Noun
  • On top of the bathroom problems, the man says the kitchen is also a nightmare thanks to Jerry and Daisy, who leave dirty dishes around.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 27 July 2025
  • Even with my healthcare connections, advocating for her as a patient was a nightmare.
    — Zoya Hasan, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025
Definition of nightmare
Noun
  • In April, Robinson teamed up with another father who understands the pain of losing a child all too well: Joseph Petito.
    — Julia Bonavita , Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 19 July 2025
  • Abdominal fat, particularly in midlife and later in life, has been implicated in a number of serious conditions including chronic pain, stroke and cardiovascular disease.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 19 July 2025
Definition of pain
Noun
  • After the torture was over, Anisimova covered her head with a towel before asking to leave the court.
    — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 12 July 2025
  • Abrego Garcia's lawyers recently claimed in court documents that he was beaten and subjected to psychological torture.
    — arkansasonline.com, arkansasonline.com, 12 July 2025
Definition of torture
Noun
  • But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.
    — Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 11 July 2025
  • Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.
    — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Definition of anguish
Noun
  • Hot off her Emmy nomination for her work in HBO’s The Penguin, Cristin Milioti is jumping into her next screen project, an independent horror thriller titled Buddy.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • The pair, who tied the knot in 2017, play a dysfunctional codependent couple in horror film Together directed by Michael Shanks.
    — Sharareh Drury, People.com, 22 July 2025
Definition of horror
Noun
  • Gastrointestinal Distress One of the most common side effects of high-dose vitamin C is gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025
  • While the fire ant posed only a slight public health risk (mainly involving discomfort), a giant DDT spraying program was undertaken that killed other wildlife in the area and posed a threat to human health.
    — Lida Maxwell July 18, Literary Hub, 18 July 2025
Definition of discomfort

Browse Nearby Words

misers
misery
misesteem
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Cite this Entry

“Misery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misery. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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