agony
Very strong physical pain or very strong feelings of sadness or worry.
Intense physical or emotional suffering, often to the point of being unbearable.
The great pain and struggle that happens just before death or something ends.
A violent struggle or intense suffering, especially in the moments before death or a decisive end.
- Base: agony
- Plural: agonies, agony
in agony
1Suffering extreme pain or distress
To feel very strong pain or sadness.
- She lay in agony after the accident.
- He was in agony waiting for the verdict.
the agony of defeat
1Severe disappointment from losing
The very strong sadness you feel when you lose.
- The team knew the agony of defeat after the final match.
- She tasted victory last year but now feels the agony of defeat.
prolong the agony
1Make suffering or suspense last longer
To make a time of pain, sadness, or waiting longer than needed.
- Let’s not prolong the agony—just tell us the result.
- They prolonged the agony by delaying the announcement.
prolong the agony
2delay something unpleasant unnecessarily
To wait longer before doing or saying something unpleasant, making people feel bad for more time.
- I won’t prolong the agony—here are the exam results.
- Let’s not prolong the agony; just tell her the truth now.