misery
gb/mˈɪzɚi/ us/mˈɪzɚi/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
state
1
Extreme suffering or unhappiness
A feeling of very strong sadness or pain.
Usage pattern:
to be in [misery]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'misery' with 'miser' (a person who hates spending money). They are unrelated in meaning.
Synonyms
suffering (A general term for experiencing pain or distress, not necessarily extreme.)
|
distress (Focuses more on emotional pain or trouble, sometimes less severe than misery.)
Antonyms
happiness (The opposite emotional state, marked by pleasure and contentment.)
|
comfort (The opposite physical state, free from pain or hardship.)
Collocations
in misery
|cause misery
|years of misery
|misery and pain
|misery of war
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The loss of her job plunged her into deep misery.
- He lived in constant misery after the accident.
- The refugees spoke about the misery they had endured during the conflict.
- Years of poverty brought endless misery to the family.
Learner examples
- She felt misery after her friend moved away.
- The sick man was in great misery.
- War brings misery to many people.
- He lived in misery for many years.
Noun
B2
state
2
Very unpleasant situation or condition
A bad and hard situation that makes people unhappy.
Usage pattern:
the misery of [situation]
Synonyms
hardship (Focuses on difficulty and suffering caused by lack of resources or comfort.)
|
ordeal (A difficult and unpleasant experience, often temporary.)
Antonyms
ease (A comfortable and trouble-free condition.)
|
relief (The removal of discomfort or distress.)
Collocations
the misery of winter
|economic misery
|misery of unemployment
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The misery of waiting in the cold seemed endless.
- Economic misery spread across the region after the factory closed.
- The long delays added to the passengers' misery.
Learner examples
- The cold made the trip a misery.
- Unemployment is a great misery for many people.
- Rain added to our misery at the picnic.
Noun
informal
B2
entity
3
Person who complains a lot
Someone who often complains and makes others feel bad.
Usage pattern:
[someone] is a (real) misery
Synonyms
killjoy (Someone who deliberately spoils other people's fun.)
|
complainer (Someone who often expresses dissatisfaction, not always spoiling fun.)
Antonyms
cheerleader (Someone who actively encourages and lifts others' spirits.)
|
optimist (A person with a positive outlook who rarely complains.)
Collocations
such a misery
|don't be a misery
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Don't be such a misery—come out and enjoy yourself!
- He's a bit of a misery when things don't go his way.
- She can be a real misery if she's tired.
Learner examples
- He is a misery when it rains.
- Don't be a misery. Come with us.
- She is a misery when she is hungry.
Grammar
Dictionary form
misery
IPA
GB/mˈɪzɚi/
US/mˈɪzɚi/
Syllables & stress
misery (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (misery)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: misery
- Plural: miseries, misery
Word family
Forms
miseries
noun
Core family
miserable
adjective A2
miserably
adverb
Advanced or less common
commiserate
verb
commiseration
noun
Expressions
loves company (misery loves company)
1/lˈʌvz kˈʌmpəni mˈɪzɚi lˈʌvz kˈʌmpəni/
idiom
Unhappy people seek others like them
People who are unhappy like to be with other unhappy people.
Examples
- She invited me to join her in complaining—misery loves company.
- They say misery loves company, and he wanted everyone to share his bad mood.
make someone's life a misery
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmwˌʌnz lˈaɪf ə mˈɪzɚi/
fixed phrase
Cause someone constant unhappiness
To make someone feel unhappy for a long time.
Examples
- Her boss made her life a misery with constant criticism.
- Bullies can make a child's life a misery at school.
pour out one's misery
1/pˈɔɹ ˈaʊt wˈʌnz mˈɪzɚi/
fixed phrase
Talk about your unhappiness in detail
To tell someone all about your sadness or problems.
Examples
- He poured out his misery to his best friend.
- She sat down and poured out her misery over coffee.