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anguish

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anguish different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When could grief be used to replace anguish?

The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When can regret be used instead of anguish?

Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When might sorrow be a better fit than anguish?

While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When would woe be a good substitute for anguish?

The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anguish
Noun
How can one not be moved seeing the anguish of young and old in the rural area of Masafer Yatta as their homes and schools are demolished by the Israel Defense Forces, who claim the land as a training zone? Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Dec. 2024 But the elation felt by many Syrians is darkened by the anguish of searching for news of relatives who disappeared in prisons where death and torture were routine. Justin Salhani, The Dial, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
So we’re anguished to see the GOP, the only viable alternative party to the Democratic Party, make this its final pitch. The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 29 Oct. 2024 But there is community in feeling divided and anguished together, in knowing that nobody is having the proper, official emotional response because no such thing has ever existed. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anguish 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
  • After Cox’s death, her estate, including her husband Kevin, filed a lawsuit against Wilson and the Park District alleging misconduct in the workplace and that alleged actions and a toxic work environment led to emotional distress for his wife in her final months of employment at the Park District.
    Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
  • Fires across the Los Angeles area have destroyed thousands of structures and caused massive emotional distress in the industry-leading epicenter, prompting mass evacuations of nearly 200,000 residents.
    Thania Garcia, Variety, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The principal of Dos Pueblos High School, Bill Woodard, expressed sorrow about the beloved teacher’s death.
    Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Sadly, the reunion would leave the Bernstein family with lasting wounds and sorrow.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 3 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Bulls were plagued by injuries, mainly to Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine, and never finished better than sixth in the Eastern Conference with DeRozan in tow.
    Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 12 Jan. 2025
  • In Britain, bovine tuberculosis has plagued cattle and dairy farmers since the eighteen-hundreds.
    Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • One mom is grieving what once was while looking to share her childhood with her kids in a new way.
    Sharisse Tracey, Parents, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The breadth of information provided to residents came from a desire to help a grieving community learn answers and find who should be held accountable for the fear gripping the region, deputies said in the interview.
    Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Every muscle is in pure agony, but the show must go on.
    Emma Sharpe, Vulture, 1 Jan. 2025
  • Passion, poignancy, ecstasy, agony and a Tic Tac ad Best game Everton 2-0 Liverpool, of course.
    Patrick Boyland, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • California What happened on Monday, Jan. 13 during the Eaton, Palisades firestorms in Southern California Jan. 13, 2025 So Kipling, 80, is left with a strange combination of gratitude and grief.
    Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
  • MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s non-profit aimed at providing assistance to the music community in times of grief, pledged $1 million last week to establish its Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort.
    Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Charles also joined a Catholic congregation supporting a charity helping Christians persecuted across the Middle East and the globe.
    Simon Perry, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025
  • Of course, traitors to the Empire were persecuted and executed too.
    Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 28 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • Proprietors of once-bustling shops that sell everything from lighting fixtures and doors to toilet bowls are aching for customers.
    Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
  • My heart aches for all of these people who are suffering.
    Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 16 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near anguish

Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anguish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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