anguish

[ang-gwish]

noun

1. excruciating or acute distress, suffering, or pain.

   the anguish of grief.

   Synonyms: torture, torment, agony
   Antonyms: relief, comfort, delight

verb (used with object)

1. to inflict with distress, suffering, or pain.

verb (used without object)

1. to suffer, feel, or exhibit anguish.

   to anguish over the loss of a loved one.

anguish

/ ˈæŋɡwɪʃ /

noun

1. extreme pain or misery; mental or physical torture; agony

verb

1. to afflict or be afflicted with anguish

Word History and Origins

Origin of anguish¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English anguisse, from Old French, from Latin angustia “tight place,” from angust(us) “narrow” + -ia -ia; anxious

Word History and Origins

Origin of anguish¹

C13: from Old French angoisse a strangling, from Latin angustia narrowness, from angustus narrow

Synonym Study

See pain.

Example Sentences

In some other places, Mamdani stirs anguish—as within the neoclassical building on the corner of Garfield Place and Eight Avenue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The one fact that gives Ibrahim some comfort is also the primary source of his anguish: Four of his other children are already living in the U.S.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Like Spears, Federline's book details their intimate and chaotic relationship, the mental anguish they both suffered and provides an inside glimpse at the conservatorship battle that dictated much of Spears' life and career.

Read more on BBC

"The family of Cheryl Grimmer have been through so much anguish over such a long period of time," he said.

Read more on BBC

Sometimes, it feels like he’s the unofficial patron saint of art suffering, fixated on the glory and anguish of putting yourself out there in the world.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agony 
• grief 
• heartache 
• heartbreak 
• misery 
• sorrow 
• suffering 
• torment 
• woe