ANGUISH Synonyms: 253 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

anguish 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-gwish

Definition of anguish next

as in distress

a state of great suffering of body or mind as a new teacher, she was in real anguish over the decision to report the cheating

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in sorrow

deep sadness especially for the loss of someone or something loved words can't express my anguish at losing my cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

anguish

2 of 2

verb

as in to plague

to cause persistent suffering to she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to grieve

to feel deep sadness or mental pain I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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