anguish 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-gwish How to pronounce anguish (audio)
Definition of anguishnext
1
as in distress
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

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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

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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

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2
as in to grieve
to feel deep sadness or mental pain I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word anguish different from other nouns like it?

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

When could grief be used to replace anguish?

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

When can regret be used instead of anguish?

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

When might sorrow be a better fit than anguish?

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

When would woe be a good substitute for anguish?

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

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anguish
Noun
All the pain and anguish, however, will pay off when the drivers stand on the podium and hoist the coveted winners' trophy. —Morgan Korn, ABC News, 12 June 2025 To date, Operation UNITED has resulted in 33 positive identifications of people whose disappearance had left family members in anguish. —Michael Kaplan, CBS News, 16 June 2025
Verb
And yet, the film has a pretty expert ensemble — Kevin Spacey won the Oscar, but Annette Bening was even more deserving — and Conrad Hall’s photography captures all the shiny surfaces that contrast with the characters’ anguished inner worlds. —Will Leitch, Vulture, 3 Mar. 2025 Watching, Emily grows anguished at her mother’s distraction. —Russell Shaw, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
  1. distress
  2. sorrow
  3. plague
  4. grieve
  5. agony
  6. grief
  7. persecute
  8. ache
Noun
  • Extreme heat can also be an obstacle to exercising, spending time in nature, and socializing, all of which can make people feel good and also double as important coping mechanisms for emotional distress.
    — Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 July 2025
  • During pregnancy, their mothers endured heat, as well as dehydration and emotional distress.
    — Laura Paddison, CNN Money, 25 July 2025
Definition of distress
Noun
  • July always arrives with a blend of sunshine and sorrow for me.
    — Belal Aftab, Mercury News, 13 July 2025
  • In humanitarian tents, children gather to share their fears and sorrows, and to comfort one another.
    — Sarah Ferguson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
Definition of sorrow
Verb
  • Mohammad Omar had been plagued with medical problems since birth.
    — Li-Lian Ahlskog Hou, CNN Money, 22 July 2025
  • That’s the kind of problem that leads to the rodent Rose Parade that’s plagued other restaurants on this street.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 21 July 2025
Definition of plague
Verb
  • The Oscar winner has starred in the Apple TV+ comedy series about grieving therapist Jimmy (Segel) since its premiere in 2023.
    — Julia Moore, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • And there are people who are grieving. KARL: Look -- PONNURU: To the extent that there are knee-jerk criticisms that assume the conclusions, right, that haven't gone through and looked at all the evidence, that deserves being called out.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2025
Definition of grieve
Noun
  • The point isn’t just to resolve in-the-moment agony.
    — Erica Sloan, SELF, 16 July 2025
  • Jamal Musiala was writhing in agony, but what really hit hard was the way players on both teams were reacting to the Bayern Munich forward’s injury.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Definition of agony
Noun
  • Yes, the money is important, but the grief from your father’s death and the confusion around the inheritance have created wounds that money wouldn’t fix.
    — Eric Thomas, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2025
  • But this time, grief and fear were tinged with a fleeting hope for change that quickly gave way to despair.
    — Dan Bilefsky, HollywoodReporter, 25 July 2025
Definition of grief
Verb
  • On the other hand, there’s room in America for Afrikaners from South Africa, the white minority of Dutch origin who claim they are being persecuted and subject to violence inflicted by the majority Black population.
    — Howard Simon, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 July 2025
  • We have been persecuted, exiled, shunned and murdered, simply for our beliefs.
    — Jessica Tzikas, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2025
Definition of persecute
Verb
  • Tears falling down a face like rain pulled by gravity, slowly building into a downpour—that raw, aching emotion sits at the core of Givēon’s artistry.
    — Malik Peay, Essence, 11 July 2025
  • But underneath there, there’s this aching desire to connect.
    — Matt Minton, Variety, 10 July 2025
Definition of ache

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Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

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