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In Ancient Greece, a public gathering was called agon. Since the Greeks placed a high value on sports and athletic competition, there were almost always athletic events at gatherings on festival days. The struggle to win the prize in such contests came to be called agonia. This term came also to be used for any difficult physical struggle and then for the pain that went with it—physical or mental. Our English word agony, meaning “intense pain of mind or body,” thus comes from a word that meant a happy celebration.
Examples of agony in a Sentence
Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
The agonies of the day were only intermittently audible in the music on offer in Witten.
—Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The family cat has been missing for week, compounding the agony of losing her 7-year-old son Kakeru in a freak accident two years before, but Otone puts it to one side and continues with her latest project, designing a bespoke home for a fussy married couple.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 16 May 2026
Kirby, screaming in agony, was on his knees as officers ordered him to drop a knife, according to video.
—David K. Li, NBC news, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for agony
Cite this Entry
“Agony.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/agony. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Middle English agonie "agony," from Latin agonia (same meaning), from Greek agōnia "struggle," from agōn "gathering, contest for a prize"
Medical Definition
agony
noun
