mis·ery 
/ˈmɪzəri/ noun
plural mis·er·ies /ˈmɪzəri/ noun 1 [noncount] : extreme suffering or unhappiness
▪ The war brought misery to thousands of refugees. ▪ They were living in overcrowded slums in conditions of great misery. ▪ a source of human misery ▪ the joy and misery of life 2 a [count] : something that causes extreme suffering or unhappiness — usually plural ▪ He tends to exaggerate the miseries of his childhood. ▪ the joys and miseries of life
b [singular] : a very unhappy or painful time or experience
▪ The last years of her life were a misery. ▪ My former boss made my life a misery. [=my former boss made my life miserable] ◊When an injured or sick animal is put out of its misery, it is killed so that it no longer has to suffer. This phrase is sometimes used to refer to people as well.
▪ patients who are in constant pain and want to be put out of their misery ▪ (humorous) I know you're all anxious to hear the results, so let me put you out of your misery. [=let me end your suffering by telling you the results] ▪ The champion finally put him out of his misery by knocking him out in the fifth round. [=the champion was beating him badly and finally ended the fight by knocking him out] 3 [singular] Brit, informal : an unhappy person who complains often or constantly : misery guts
▪ Stop being such a misery.
▪ The war brought misery to thousands of refugees. ▪ They were living in overcrowded slums in conditions of great misery. ▪ a source of human misery ▪ the joy and misery of life
b [singular] : a very unhappy or painful time or experience
▪ The last years of her life were a misery. ▪ My former boss made my life a misery. [=my former boss made my life miserable] ◊When an injured or sick animal is put out of its misery, it is killed so that it no longer has to suffer. This phrase is sometimes used to refer to people as well.
▪ patients who are in constant pain and want to be put out of their misery ▪ (humorous) I know you're all anxious to hear the results, so let me put you out of your misery. [=let me end your suffering by telling you the results] ▪ The champion finally put him out of his misery by knocking him out in the fifth round. [=the champion was beating him badly and finally ended the fight by knocking him out]
▪ Stop being such a misery.
