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What does��agony mean?

Agony is extreme pain or suffering, especially the kind that lasts for a long time. The word anguish is a close synonym.Agony can be physical or emotional. A person who has just broken their leg and a person who has just experienced the death of a loved one could both be said to be in agony—in a state of extreme pain or suffering.However, agony is perhaps more commonly used in the context of emotional pain (in which case it often likens such suffering to intense physical pain).The verb agonize can mean to be in agony, but it most commonly means to put forth a great effort—to struggle or strive, as in She’s been agonizing about what to get you for your birthday.The adjective agonizing means filled with or resulting in agony, as in agonizing pain.  Agony also has a few other meanings that are much less common. It can mean an outburst of intense emotional excitement, even a positive one, as in an agony of joy. It can also mean an intense or violent struggle, as in He was in an agony of indecision. More specifically, it can refer to the struggle or suffering that precedes death.Example: I hope you’ll never have to experience the sheer agony of losing a child.