anguish

1 of 2

noun

an·guish ˈaŋ-gwish How to pronounce anguish (audio)

: extreme pain, distress, or anxiety

cries of anguish

mental anguish

anguish

2 of 2

verb

anguished; anguishing; anguishes

intransitive verb

: to suffer anguish

He anguished over his failure.

transitive verb

: to cause to suffer anguish

a heart that had been anguished with sorrow

Example Sentences

Noun He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage. They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house. Verb she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The pain and anguish over the killing of two El Monte police officers is not likely to be relieved any time soon.

James Raineystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 When news of the sale broke in December 2020, fans of the Royals voiced their anguish over the club’s departure.

Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 June 2022 In June 2020, Northam (D) ordered the removal of the statue, which had been erected in 1890 but had become a flash point in the nation’s anguish over a White Minneapolis police officer’s murder of George Floyd, a Black man.

Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2021 The clamor for a quick victory on infrastructure, both for congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden, has only grown louder amid the anguish over Afghanistan.

Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2021 The clamor for a quick victory on infrastructure, both for congressional Democrats and President Biden, has only grown louder amid the anguish over Afghanistan.

New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021 His anger mixes with anguish, the elder Stanton said.

oregonlive, 12 Aug. 2022 Dillard worries, with anguish and ferocity, over the problem of suffering.

Anthony Domestico, The Atlantic, 5 July 2022 Plus Schwartz imbued his character with a relatable anguish that gave this series a smidgen of poignancy.

Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022

Verb

The trial is expected to be similar to the one in Texas, with victims' relatives testifying about the pain and anguish the hoax conspiracy caused them and medical professionals answering questions about the relatives' mental health and diagnoses.

CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 Many of you expressed sorrow and anguish over the needless death and the sheer number of mass shootings, more than 200 so far this year alone.

Christina Prignano, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2022 The characters are nearly unrecognizable, anguish on their faces, the hostility of the attack quite palpable.

Holly Jones, Variety, 9 May 2022 The new disclosures prompted outrage in other world capitals as well – and anguish among the Uyghur diaspora.

Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY, 24 May 2022 Californians and all Americans join the Sacramento community in horror and anguish over this morning’s mass shooting.

Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2022 One decision the AMPAS board of 1953 did not have to anguish over was the selection of the host: the availability of stand-up comedian and radio and film superstar Bob Hope made life easy.

Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2022 The case has generated protests, questions about police tactics, and anguish for family and friends.

Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Once the family’s home from the outing, joviality quickly gives way to anguish as it is determined that Aunt Patrizia, a victim of physical abuse, must be institutionalized.

Bob Verini, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022 See More

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English angoise, angwissche, borrowed from Anglo-French anguisse, angoisse, going back to Latin angustia (usually in plural angustiae) "narrowness, narrow passage, limitations, straits" (Late Latin, "suffering, distress"), noun derivative (with -ia -y entry 2), of angustus "narrow, confined, straitened," probably from *angos- (whence angōr-, angor "suffocation, anguish") + *-to-, adjective suffix — more at anger entry 1

Verb

Middle English anguisen, anguischen "to grieve, be distressed," borrowed from Anglo-French anguisser, angoisser "to distress, cause pain to, (as reflexive verb) suffer, be tormented," going back to Late Latin angustiāre "to compress, afflict, be in difficult circumstances," derivative of Latin angustia "narrowness, straits" — more at anguish entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

anguish 1 of 2

noun

as in agony

a state of great suffering of body or mind as a new teacher, she was in real anguish over the decision to report the cheating

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

agony
distress
pain
misery
discomfort
torment
sorrow
torture
tribulation
woe
sadness
hurt
pang
travail
heartbreak
excruciation
hardship
affliction
heartache
difficulty
unhappiness
rack
trouble
strait(s)
ache
danger
emergency
crucible
cross
joylessness
soreness
jeopardy
smarting
trial
twinge
pinch
rigor
throe
stitch
asperity

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

relief
solace
consolation
comfort
alleviation
ease
assuagement
peace
security
well-being

as in sorrow

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved words can't express my anguish at losing my cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

sorrow
grief
heartbreak
agony
heartache
pain
suffering
guilt
remorse
woe
sorrowfulness
distress
despair
misery
melancholy
distress
dolor
regret
torment
shame
depression
unhappiness
sorriness
dejection
affliction
oppression
heartsickness
wretchedness
gloom
joylessness
gloominess
glumness
dolefulness
despondence
forlornness
contrition
despondency
blues
melancholia
miserableness
desolateness
dreariness
desolation
dumps
self-reproach
blue devils
downheartedness
mopes
rue
disconsolateness
woefulness
doldrums
self-pity
dispiritedness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

joy
ecstasy
exultation
elation
glee
happiness
delight
jubilation
pleasure
exuberance
rapture
exhilaration
euphoria
bliss
mirth
gladness
cheerfulness
joyousness
joyfulness
blessedness
felicity
cheer
gayety
cheeriness
gaiety
optimism
humor
merriment
joviality
merrymaking
jollity
blissfulness
hopefulness
gleefulness
enjoyment
lightheartedness
gayness
mirthfulness
elatedness
rapturousness
contentment
content
gladsomeness
sunniness
contentedness

anguish

2 of 2

verb

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war

Synonyms & Similar Words

plague
afflict
persecute
torture
torment
curse
trouble
attack
agonize
beset
sting
bother
besiege
harrow
rack
distress
excruciate
bedevil
pain
discomfort
disquiet
stress
worry
grieve
overwhelm
strike
annoy
hurt
upset
aggravate
disturb
pang
dog
pursue
exasperate
harry
hound
vex
irritate
strain
irk
assail
grate
discompose
peeve
ride
badger
fluster
pique
rasp
gripe
gall
agitate
harass
chafe
bug
oppress
put out
nettle
stab
prick
rile
try
martyr
molest
victimize
perturb
smite
tyrannize
crush
pester
overpower
smart
wring
hagride
get

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

aid
help
assist
relieve
comfort
abet
release
soothe
content
deliver
quiet
console
solace
reprieve
succor

as in to grieve

to feel deep sadness or mental pain I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards

Synonyms & Similar Words

grieve
ache
sorrow
sigh
mourn
cry
suffer
agonize
sob
weep
torment
hurt
groan
bleed
tear one's hair
torture
eat one's heart out
regret
moan
lament
bewail
smart
rue
blubber
howl
rack
wail
languish
deplore
bemoan
bawl
yowl
keen
long (for)
pine (away)
yammer
take on

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

joy
glory
triumph
delight
laugh
rejoice
beam
cheer
comfort
sympathize
exult
assure
cheer
reassure
soothe
crow
console
ravish
solace
commiserate

Synonym Chooser

Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

单词	anguish
释义	anguish 1 of 2 noun an·guish ˈaŋ-gwish : extreme pain, distress, or anxiety cries of anguish mental anguish anguish 2 of 2 verb anguished; anguishing; anguishes intransitive verb : to suffer anguish He anguished over his failure. transitive verb : to cause to suffer anguish a heart that had been anguished with sorrow Synonyms Noun affliction agony distress excruciation hurt misery pain rack strait(s) torment torture travail tribulation woe Verb afflict agonize bedevil beset besiege curse excruciate harrow persecute plague rack torment torture See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Noun He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage. They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house. Verb she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards. Recent Examples on the Web Noun The pain and anguish over the killing of two El Monte police officers is not likely to be relieved any time soon. James Raineystaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2022 When news of the sale broke in December 2020, fans of the Royals voiced their anguish over the club’s departure. Aaron Falk, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 June 2022 In June 2020, Northam (D) ordered the removal of the statue, which had been erected in 1890 but had become a flash point in the nation’s anguish over a White Minneapolis police officer’s murder of George Floyd, a Black man. Washington Post, 6 Sep. 2021 The clamor for a quick victory on infrastructure, both for congressional Democrats and President Joe Biden, has only grown louder amid the anguish over Afghanistan. Compiled Democrat-gazette Staff From Wire Reports, Arkansas Online, 23 Aug. 2021 The clamor for a quick victory on infrastructure, both for congressional Democrats and President Biden, has only grown louder amid the anguish over Afghanistan. New York Times, 22 Aug. 2021 His anger mixes with anguish, the elder Stanton said. oregonlive, 12 Aug. 2022 Dillard worries, with anguish and ferocity, over the problem of suffering. Anthony Domestico, The Atlantic, 5 July 2022 Plus Schwartz imbued his character with a relatable anguish that gave this series a smidgen of poignancy. Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2022 Verb The trial is expected to be similar to the one in Texas, with victims' relatives testifying about the pain and anguish the hoax conspiracy caused them and medical professionals answering questions about the relatives' mental health and diagnoses. CBS News, 12 Sep. 2022 Many of you expressed sorrow and anguish over the needless death and the sheer number of mass shootings, more than 200 so far this year alone. Christina Prignano, BostonGlobe.com, 31 May 2022 The characters are nearly unrecognizable, anguish on their faces, the hostility of the attack quite palpable. Holly Jones, Variety, 9 May 2022 The new disclosures prompted outrage in other world capitals as well – and anguish among the Uyghur diaspora. Deirdre Shesgreen, USA TODAY, 24 May 2022 Californians and all Americans join the Sacramento community in horror and anguish over this morning’s mass shooting. Jessica Flores, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2022 One decision the AMPAS board of 1953 did not have to anguish over was the selection of the host: the availability of stand-up comedian and radio and film superstar Bob Hope made life easy. Thomas Doherty, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2022 The case has generated protests, questions about police tactics, and anguish for family and friends. Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2022 Once the family’s home from the outing, joviality quickly gives way to anguish as it is determined that Aunt Patrizia, a victim of physical abuse, must be institutionalized. Bob Verini, Variety, 16 Mar. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Noun Middle English angoise, angwissche, borrowed from Anglo-French anguisse, angoisse, going back to Latin angustia (usually in plural angustiae) "narrowness, narrow passage, limitations, straits" (Late Latin, "suffering, distress"), noun derivative (with -ia -y entry 2), of angustus "narrow, confined, straitened," probably from angos- (whence angōr-, angor* "suffocation, anguish") + -to-, adjective suffix — more at anger entry 1 Verb Middle English anguisen, anguischen* "to grieve, be distressed," borrowed from Anglo-French anguisser, angoisser "to distress, cause pain to, (as reflexive verb) suffer, be tormented," going back to Late Latin angustiāre "to compress, afflict, be in difficult circumstances," derivative of Latin angustia "narrowness, straits" — more at anguish entry 1 First Known Use Noun 13th century, in the meaning defined above Verb 14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense Kids Definition anguish noun an·guish ˈaŋ-gwish : great physical or emotional pain anguish 1 of 2 noun 1 as in agony a state of great suffering of body or mind as a new teacher, she was in real anguish over the decision to report the cheating Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance agony distress pain misery discomfort torment sorrow torture tribulation woe sadness hurt pang travail heartbreak excruciation hardship affliction heartache difficulty unhappiness rack trouble strait(s) ache danger emergency crucible cross joylessness soreness jeopardy smarting trial twinge pinch rigor throe stitch asperity Antonyms & Near Antonyms relief solace consolation comfort alleviation ease assuagement peace security well-being See More 2 as in sorrow deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved words can't express my anguish at losing my cat Synonyms & Similar Words sorrow grief heartbreak agony heartache pain suffering guilt remorse woe sorrowfulness distress despair misery melancholy distress dolor regret torment shame depression unhappiness sorriness dejection affliction oppression heartsickness wretchedness gloom joylessness gloominess glumness dolefulness despondence forlornness contrition despondency blues melancholia miserableness desolateness dreariness desolation dumps self-reproach blue devils downheartedness mopes rue disconsolateness woefulness doldrums self-pity dispiritedness Antonyms & Near Antonyms joy ecstasy exultation elation glee happiness delight jubilation pleasure exuberance rapture exhilaration euphoria bliss mirth gladness cheerfulness joyousness joyfulness blessedness felicity cheer gayety cheeriness gaiety optimism humor merriment joviality merrymaking jollity blissfulness hopefulness gleefulness enjoyment lightheartedness gayness mirthfulness elatedness rapturousness contentment content gladsomeness sunniness contentedness See More anguish 2 of 2 verb 1 as in to plague to cause persistent suffering to she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war Synonyms & Similar Words plague afflict persecute torture torment curse trouble attack agonize beset sting bother besiege harrow rack distress excruciate bedevil pain discomfort disquiet stress worry grieve overwhelm strike annoy hurt upset aggravate disturb pang dog pursue exasperate harry hound vex irritate strain irk assail grate discompose peeve ride badger fluster pique rasp gripe gall agitate harass chafe bug oppress put out nettle stab prick rile try martyr molest victimize perturb smite tyrannize crush pester overpower smart wring hagride get Antonyms & Near Antonyms aid help assist relieve comfort abet release soothe content deliver quiet console solace reprieve succor See More 2 as in to grieve to feel deep sadness or mental pain I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards Synonyms & Similar Words grieve ache sorrow sigh mourn cry suffer agonize sob weep torment hurt groan bleed tear one's hair torture eat one's heart out regret moan lament bewail smart rue blubber howl rack wail languish deplore bemoan bawl yowl keen long (for) pine (away) yammer take on Antonyms & Near Antonyms joy glory triumph delight laugh rejoice beam cheer comfort sympathize exult assure cheer reassure soothe crow console ravish solace commiserate See More Synonym Chooser Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread. the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse. nagging regret for missed opportunities While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city
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anguish

noun

verb

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser