Basic Details
Word: Agony
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Intense pain or suffering, either physical or emotional.
Synonyms: Pain, torment, suffering, anguish
Antonyms: Comfort, relief, happiness
Idioms and Phrases
- Agony of choice: A difficult decision that causes stress or anxiety. Example: "Choosing the right school for her children was an agony of choice."
- In agony: To be in extreme pain or distress. Example: "He lay in agony after twisting his ankle during the game."
Usage Examples
Example 1: After the accident, she felt an overwhelming sense of agony as she awaited help.
Example 2: The agony of watching her favourite team lose the final match was almost unbearable.
Example 3: He expressed his agony about the loss of his pet in a heartfelt letter.
Fun Fact
The word "agony" comes from the Greek word "agonia," which means a struggle or contest, often referring to the painful experiences of athletes in competitions.
Famous Quote
"The greatest agony is to experience what you cannot express." - Toni Morrison
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "agony" mean?
a) A state of happiness
b) Intense pain or suffering
c) A type of food
d) A journey
Answer: b) Intense pain or suffering
2. Which of these is a synonym of "agony"?
a) Comfort
b) Pain
c) Joy
d) Surprise
Answer: b) Pain
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "agony"?
a) Torment
b) Relief
c) Anguish
d) Suffering
Answer: b) Relief
4. Which sentence uses "agony" correctly?
a) The children were in agony when they found a puppy.
b) She was in agony at the thought of losing her chance.
c) He felt agony when he won a prize.
d) They were in agony while dancing at the festival.
Answer: b) She was in agony at the thought of losing her chance.
5. Which idiom means experiencing difficulty in making a decision?
a) Agony of choice
b) In agony
c) Happy as a clam
d) On cloud nine
Answer: a) Agony of choice
