Misery: meaning, definitions and examples

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misery

[ˈmɪzəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

feeling

A state or feeling of great physical or mental distress or discomfort.

Synonyms

agony, anguish, distress, pain, suffering.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misery	Misery is generally used to describe a state of great unhappiness or emotional suffering over a longer period. She lived in misery after the loss of her beloved pet. The misery of war affected the entire nation.
distress	Distress can refer to both physical and emotional suffering, often caused by a particular situation or event. The child was in distress after getting lost in the mall. Financial distress is a common issue for many families.
suffering	Suffering is a broad term that encompasses prolonged physical or emotional discomfort. It's often used to describe long-term hardship. He experienced a lot of suffering during his illness. The refugees are suffering due to lack of food and water.
anguish	Anguish is intense pain or suffering, often of an emotional or mental nature and typically more severe than distress. Her face was etched with anguish after hearing the tragic news. He felt deep anguish over the breakup.
pain	Pain is a general term that can describe both physical and emotional discomfort or suffering. She felt a sharp pain in her side. The pain of losing a loved one never truly goes away.
agony	Agony refers to intense physical or mental pain, often over a shorter duration but can be very severe. He was in agony after breaking his leg. Waiting for the test results was pure agony.

Examples of usage

She was in constant misery after the loss of her beloved pet.
The refugees were living in misery in the overcrowded camp.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

condition

A cause or source of great distress or discomfort.

Synonyms

adversity, hardship, suffering, tribulation, woe.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
misery	Misery is best used to describe a prolonged state of great unhappiness or discomfort. After the loss of his job, John fell into deep misery. The entire country was plunged into misery after the natural disaster.
suffering	Suffering denotes the experience of physical or mental pain. The injured animals were in great suffering. He dedicated his life to alleviating the suffering of others.
hardship	Hardship describes severe suffering or deprivation, often related to financial, social, or physical difficulties. They faced great hardship during the war. The economic crisis brought sudden hardship to many families.
adversity	Adversity refers to a difficult or unpleasant situation, often involving challenge or misfortune. She found strength in the face of adversity. Overcoming adversity made him stronger.
tribulation	Tribulation is often used in a more formal or literary context to describe severe trials or struggles. They remained hopeful despite their tribulations. The novel chronicles the tribulations of the main character.
woe	Woe indicates great sorrow or distress and is often used in a storytelling or poetic context. The tale is full of woe and heartache. She recounted her woes to anyone who would listen.

Examples of usage

The poverty in the region is a source of misery for the inhabitants.
The war brought misery to the entire nation.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Latin 'miseria,' which means 'wretchedness' or 'distress.'
In Middle English, 'misery' referred to physical suffering as well as emotional struggle.

Psychology

Feeling of misery can significantly affect mental health, often leading to depression if not addressed.
Psychological studies suggest that perceived social isolation greatly contributes to feelings of misery.

Literature

In literature, misery is often a central theme, used to explore human resilience and compassion.
Famous works like 'Les Misérables' by Victor Hugo illustrate how societal issues can lead to personal misery.

Cultural Perspectives

Different cultures express and manage feelings of misery in various ways, often through art, music, and storytelling.
In some traditions, sharing stories of misery can be a way to heal and find communal support.

History

During times of war and famine, societies have historically faced widespread misery, leading to social reforms.
The Industrial Revolution saw a rise in misery for many workers, prompting movements for labor rights and reforms.

Translations

Translations of the word "misery" in other languages:

🇵🇹 miséria

🇮🇳 दुःख

🇩🇪 Elend

🇮🇩 kesengsaraan

🇺🇦 злидні

🇵🇱 nędza

🇯🇵 悲惨

🇫🇷 misère

🇪🇸 miseria

🇹🇷 sefalet

🇰🇷 고통

🇸🇦 بؤس

🇨🇿 bída

🇸🇰 bieda

🇨🇳 痛苦

🇸🇮 bed

🇮🇸 eymd

🇰🇿 қайғы

🇬🇪 სიცოცხლის გაჭირვება

🇦🇿 bədbəxtlik

🇲🇽 miseria

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,896 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

...
5893 forcing
5894 hatred
5895 conquest
5896 misery
5897 talents
5898 hybrid
5899 dismissal
...