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Agony vs Despondency - What's the difference?

agony | despondency | Related terms |

Agony is a related term of despondency.


As nouns the difference between agony and despondency

is that agony is violent contest or striving while despondency is the loss of hope or confidence; despair or dejection.

agony

English

Noun

(agonies)
  • Violent contest or striving.
    • The world is convulsed by the agonies of great nations. —.
  • Pain so extreme as to cause writhing or contortions of the body, similar to those made in the athletic contests in Greece; and hence, extreme pain of mind or body; anguish; paroxysm of grief; specifically, the sufferings of Christ in the garden of Gethsemane.
    • Being in an agony he prayed more earnestly. —Luke xxii. 44.
  • Paroxysm of joy; keen emotion.
    • With cries and agonies of wild delight. —.
  • The last struggle of life; death struggle.

    • Synonyms

    * anguish, torment, throe, distress, pang, suffering * See also

    Antonyms

    * (extreme pain) ecstasy

    Related terms

    * agon * agonist, antagonist, protagonist * agonistes

    despondency

    English

    Noun

    (despondencies)
  • The loss of hope or confidence; despair or dejection.
  • A feeling of depression or disheartenment.