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

---

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

---

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

Within the first 72 hours of a 26-day game, “Survivor 50,” featuring 24 veteran players, had already delivered feuding, anguish and heartbreak.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

His death reminded her of her mother's anguish when Jallad's brother was killed decades earlier.

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The exodus is causing anguish amongst New Zealand's lawmakers - on both personal and policy fronts.

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

Until the final sections, we are trapped in the vicious cycle of the poet’s anguish and anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

My mother’s concern was almost too much to bear because it meant I wasn’t hiding my anguish very well.

From "Proud" by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Related Words

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