misery
UK: ˈmɪzəri | US: ˈmɪzəri
n. extreme suffering or unhappiness
n. a state of prolonged distress or discomfort
n. (archaic) a cause or source of suffering
The word "misery" traces back to Latin miseria, derived from miser (wretched). It entered Middle English via Old French misere, retaining its core sense of profound suffering. The suffix -y solidified its role as a noun, emphasizing the condition rather than the emotional quality. The evolution mirrors societal associations of poverty (miser as "stingy" in later usage) with unhappiness.
The war brought years of misery to the civilian population.
She hid her misery behind a forced smile.
Living in constant pain is a life of misery.
The novel depicts the misery of 19th-century industrial workers.
He complained about the misery of his cramped apartment.