Cool MateAgony vs Anguish vs Suffering
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Agony
Top 3,000 (common)
Anguish
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Suffering
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Most formal: AnguishMost common: Suffering
| Agony | Anguish | Suffering | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈæɡəni//🇺🇸 //ˈæɡəni// | 🇬🇧 //ˈæŋɡwɪʃ//🇺🇸 //ˈæŋɡwɪʃ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsʌfərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsʌfərɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very severe pain or suffering. | Extreme sadness or pain. | The experience of pain or distress. |
| Example | He screamed in agony after breaking his leg. | She cried out in anguish after receiving the bad news. | Death finally brought an end to her suffering. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | ||
| Collocations | in agony, agony of defeat, silent agony, emotional agony, physical agony | anguish of childbirth, anguish over loss, anguish in silence, feel anguish, express anguish | enormous, great, immense, amount, degree, level, cause (somebody), inflict, increase, pain and suffering, enormous, great, immense, amount, degree, level, cause (somebody), inflict, increase, pain and suffering |
| Antonyms | comfort, ease, relief | joy, happiness, comfort | comfort, relief, well-being |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'agony' with 'anguish' - while similar, 'anguish' often refers to emotional suffering., Using 'agony' for minor discomfort - it's reserved for significant pain., Mixing up 'agony' with 'gloom' - 'gloom' refers to sadness, not pain. | Confused with 'anguish' vs 'anguished' (the adjective form), Overused in casual contexts where 'pain' or 'sadness' might be more appropriate, Spelled incorrectly as 'anguise' | Using 'suffering' as a verb instead of 'suffer'., Confusing 'suffering' with 'sufferings' (the latter is usually used in a different context). |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts, often to describe extreme physical or emotional pain. Avoid in casual conversation unless discussing intense feelings. | Use 'anguish' in serious or emotional contexts. It's often found in literature and formal writing, less in casual conversation. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. It can describe physical or emotional pain. Be careful not to confuse it with 'suffer', which is the verb form. |
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Frequently asked questions: Agony vs Anguish vs Suffering
What's the difference between Agony, Anguish, and Suffering?
Agony: Very severe pain or suffering. Anguish: Extreme sadness or pain. Suffering: The experience of pain or distress.
Which is more formal: Agony, Anguish, and Suffering?
Anguish is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Agony, Anguish, and Suffering?
Suffering is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Agony: He screamed in agony after breaking his leg. Anguish: She cried out in anguish after receiving the bad news. Suffering: Death finally brought an end to her suffering.
Can I use Agony, Anguish, and Suffering interchangeably?
Not always. Agony, Anguish, and Suffering are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.