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
Relevance
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
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
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
How might one weigh that hypothetical suffering against the actual misery and destruction caused by the Civil War?
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
The need for food, clean water and living space was unsustainable, even if most of the people trying to secure them lived in misery.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
Metzler did a wonderful job blending misery and mirth in Maid, a series that was an often-downbeat class critique in which bursts of satire worked as a release valve.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misery
Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 17 June 2025
How might one weigh that hypothetical suffering against the actual misery and destruction caused by the Civil War?
—The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
The need for food, clean water and living space was unsustainable, even if most of the people trying to secure them lived in misery.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2025
Metzler did a wonderful job blending misery and mirth in Maid, a series that was an often-downbeat class critique in which bursts of satire worked as a release valve.
—Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for misery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for misery
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Joseph writhes in the agony of his own newfound girl craziness (and cleavage obsession).—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
Williams was never offered any other clear pathway to finding relief—even as the agony from her fibroids was getting worse.—
Kayla Greaves,
SELF,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Brown said a bite from a lone star tick can trigger an allergic reaction, with symptoms including hives, gastrointestinal distress and potentially life-threatening anaphylaxis.—
State House News Service,
Boston Herald,
13 July 2025
-
Tiffany had shown no indication of being depressed or in emotional distress.—
Alex Gurley,
People.com,
12 July 2025
Noun
-
What follows is a floor-by-floor descent into madness as Bobby battles bloodthirsty perverts, demonic flash mobs, and hallucinogenic suburban nightmares, all while trying to figure out if he’s meant to be the hero… or just the last guy standing.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
-
However, experts are sounding the alarm on one type of photo that could turn a dream vacation into a travel nightmare.—
Michael Cappetta,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Our lives in Iran, our pain, are different from the ‘official’ version.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
7 July 2025
-
Six months ago, two weeks before my planned starting date, a mysterious pain in my side sent me to see Doc Morris for a checkup that led to a surprise double surgery to remove both a dodgy gallbladder and a carrot-sized tumor from my lower intestines, the first serious medical crisis of my life.—
James Dodson
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Seeing how she was broken down and dehumanized through torture and isolation, definitely reflected the lengths humans will go to in order to survive.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
10 July 2025
-
Colleagues and former patients' families expressed concern for Soliman's safety if deported back to Egypt, citing fears of persecution and torture.—
Patricia Gallagher Newberry,
The Enquirer,
9 July 2025
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
Noun
-
One of the most important episodes of the first season sees the contestants voting to leave, then choosing to come back after experiencing the horrors of living with debt.—
Dani Di Placido,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
In the span of three weeks, in prime time and on the big screen, Americans witnessed two vivid interpretations of the horrors of nuclear war: one explosive and terrifying, the other corrosive and elegiac.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
This reaction is triggered by the mosquito's saliva, which causes our immune system to release histamine, and usually manifests as inflammation, itching, discomfort, and visible red bumps.—
Sarah Y. Wu,
Glamour,
7 July 2025
-
Finally, as is the case with many other conditions, doctors routinely dismiss women’s symptoms and discomfort.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Flow Space,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Misery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/misery. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share