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

She had to endure the mental anguish of watching her body grow while knowing her first child was dying.

From Salon

Speaking to the BBC at the time, the lawyer, John Maina Ndegwa, said the suspect had been "strangled to confess. You could tell he was in distress, terrified and in anguish."

From BBC

There are fixed points, though: hospitals, religious anguish, scenes with her quirky family, a fierce desire to reclaim her writing life.

From Los Angeles Times

The Hollywood Reporter called the film "an anguished portrait of what it takes for women to survive", and a "clear-eyed, restrained, moving story" of two young women finding solace in each other.

From BBC

But there is something else going on here which amplifies the jitters within Labour and causes contortions and anguish for others here at Westminster.

From BBC

Related Words

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