noun

misery

/ˈmɪzəri/ · say it: MIZ·uh·ree

great unhappiness or suffering

In Emotions & Moods

In more detail

1. (noun) extreme unhappiness or suffering

2. (noun) a cause of suffering or pain

Examples

1. After losing his job, he fell into a state of misery.
2. Poverty and disease are great miseries affecting many people.

How to use misery

Misery refers to intense, often prolonged suffering or unhappiness, whether emotional or physical. It is stronger than sadness and carries a weight of despair or wretchedness. The word is common in both formal and informal contexts, and often appears in expressions suggesting compassion (putting someone out of their misery) or shared hardship (misery loves company).

Common phrases

wallow in misery
depths of misery
cause misery
put someone out of their misery
misery loves company

Synonyms

suffering · anguish · wretchedness · distress · torment

Opposites

happiness · joy · contentment

Word family

miserable (adjective) · miserably (adverb) · misery (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes use 'misery' too loosely for mild unhappiness or disappointment; it denotes deeper, more serious suffering than casual sadness.

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