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

Mr. Mahajan’s “The Complex” is an anguished, intelligent study of ambition decoupled from principles, and of the complacency and fear that allows it to thrive.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From BBC

Most notably, Ms. Kaminsky portrays Alona’s anguish in her big revelation scene with a jagged vocal line that seems painfully extracted from her, with the cello echoing Timothi Williams’s vibrant mezzo.

From The Wall Street Journal

Mr. Ireland also shows the anguish Trotsky suffered at the mistreatment of his family members left behind, many of whom were exiled or shot.

From The Wall Street Journal

It’s the emotional place where all the stories in this spirited, anguished book begins.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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