misery

noun mis·ery \ˈmi-zə-rē, ˈmiz-rē\

: extreme suffering or unhappiness

: something that causes extreme suffering or unhappiness

: a very unhappy or painful time or experience

plural mis·er·ies

Full Definition of MISERY

: a state of suffering and want that is the result of poverty or affliction

: a circumstance, thing, or place that causes suffering or discomfort

: a state of great unhappiness and emotional distress

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First Known Use of MISERY

14th century

Related to MISERY

Synonyms: agony, Gehenna, horror, hell, murder, nightmare, torment, torture

Antonyms: heaven, paradise

Synonym Discussion of MISERY

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress <the hurricane put everyone in great distress>. suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress <the suffering of famine victims>. misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss <the homeless live with misery every day>. agony suggests pain too intense to be borne <in agony over the death of their child>.

MISERY Defined for Kids