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 But not that long ago Molina was a central figure in a special education case that needlessly cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars and put one family through misery for nearly three years. Marsha Sutton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2025 Over 40 years after losing to Daniel in the All-Valley Tournament, leading to many years of misery, Johnny learns from his mistakes in the most important fight of his life against the menacing Sensei Wolf, with the help of his former rival. Skyler Trepel, People.com, 15 Feb. 2025 The months surrounding any digital-media launch are riddled with anxiety, misery, and sometimes great elation. Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2025 The fear that what is fun and silly online can radiate into violence or misery offline is based on history, not nightmare. Kelsey McKinney, Rolling Stone, 8 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for misery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery
Noun
  • Challenges of rebuilding Victims who lost homes will be faced with the decision whether to rebuild — which can be agony.
    Tony Saavedra, Orange County Register, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Then, Cara’s killshot was followed by her screams of agony at her dire circumstances.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 23 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Forbes is protected by reCAPTCHA, and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Mexico, Canada, and China are the first, second, and third largest trading partners of the U.S. Markets React to Tariff Disruption Equities markets indicated distress in a number of ways.
    Erik Sherman, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The lawsuit alleged battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and loss of consortium, which allows for recovery of damages for relationships that are mutually dependent.
    Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The 1974 Best Picture Award Was Interrupted by an Onstage Streaker While most people have nightmares about being naked onstage in front of a massive group of people, 33-year-old Robert Opel did it voluntarily… during the most anticipated moment of Hollywood’s biggest night!
    Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 2 Mar. 2025
  • The Los Angeles fires turned the crisis into a nightmare as State Farm asked Lara for permission to raise insurance premiums by an average of 22%.
    Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Kylie Jenner is opening up about the pain of losing her longtime hairstylist and close friend, Jesus Guerrero.
    Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 25 Feb. 2025
  • The poor guy is just so ready to put the pain of his childhood behind him and build a family where everyone eats dinner together at night, and no one ever feels alone.
    Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Camarena’s body was found a month later with evidence of torture and abuse.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 28 Feb. 2025
  • But the two youngest children, Russell and Eve, were taken with Ruby in the move to Ivins — and were subjected to cruel torture at the hands of their mother and her business partner.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • But last year's Olympics were also a major source of anguish.
    Christopher Intagliata, NPR, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Every repeat viewing of Abraham's performance reveals some new moment of humiliation — some fresh sickening glimmer of anguish that feels all too familiar.
    EW.com, EW.com, 2 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • People need to continue to show up to town halls and political events to express their dismay and horror at the prospect of Trump and Musk demolishing social safety nets and health, safety, and economic regulation.
    Leah Litman, TIME, 28 Feb. 2025
  • The video for the single captures the singer literally running away from the horrors hiding beneath the surface February 28, 2025 The new Lizzo era is here.
    Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • That can range from receiving unfair treatment to being ignored when bringing up issues around pain or discomfort.
    Essence, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025
  • That kind of discomfort makes for excellent cannon fodder for the midterms.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 25 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Misery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misery. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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