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

The sister of one of the teachers killed was removed from the gallery after an anguished outburst aimed at defense attorneys.

From The Wall Street Journal

“You can do this,” Sue’s dad called back, his voice strangled with anguish and smoke.

From Literature

Venezuela said Tuesday it would start using revenues from a US-brokered oil sale to shore up its battered currency, as families waited in anguish for more prisoners to be released.

From Barron's

An anguished outburst from the gallery by the sister of a teacher who was killed prompted the judge to warn lawyers that such behavior could also derail the trial.

From The Wall Street Journal

"They have prolonged the anguish of the families," she lamented.

From Barron's

Related Words

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