anguish

American  

[ang-gwish] / ˈæŋ gwɪʃ /

noun

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

   the anguish of grief.

   Synonyms:

   torture, torment, agony

   Antonyms:

   relief, comfort, delight

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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 British  

/ ˈæŋɡwɪʃ /

noun

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

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verb

1. to afflict or be afflicted with anguish

Related Words

See pain.

Etymology

Origin of anguish

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

Example Sentences

"I cannot begin to describe the anguish and trauma of the events of Boxing Day 2025," he said in a tribute released by Gloucestershire Constabulary.

From BBC

"We have multiple witnesses to the anguish that he was going through at his inability to get in and save his children and save his wife," Det Supt Ian Fletcher said.

From BBC

Her contorted expression is rotted by anguish, as though life’s unbearable burdens have laid waste to their latest victim.

From Salon

"The anguish that this policy has created within the farming community has been widely publicised," he added.

From BBC

An exquisitely photographed, black-and-white triptych set in Cuba, this unsung gem portrays the hopes of those with a chance to escape their challenging conditions and the anguish of the ones left behind.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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