1
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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2
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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1
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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2
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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anguish
Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025
He was given morphine for his physical pain, but her brother’s anguish could not be dulled.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
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
Noun
And as Sara’s family lived with the anguish of uncertainty, plenty of Yuba-Sutter residents seemed to forget that anything had happened at all.
—Ariane Lange, Sacramento Bee, 26 Jan. 2025
He was given morphine for his physical pain, but her brother’s anguish could not be dulled.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
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
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Yarden appeared to be in extreme distress in the video and was very likely speaking under duress.—
Mick Krever,
CNN,
20 Feb. 2025
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While the civil lawsuit filed by Petito's parents accused them of withholding information and causing emotional distress, no criminal charges were brought against them.—
Matt Robison,
Newsweek,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Residents gathered in Hostages Square, outside Israel's defense headquarters, as sorrow set in across the country.—
Chris Kenning,
USA TODAY,
20 Feb. 2025
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The sorrows of the women are also narrativized with poignancy and emotionality.—
Ritesh Mehta,
IndieWire,
17 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Also Read ‘Becoming Led Zeppelin’ Doc Soars into Wide Release Osbourne, 76, has been plagued with health problems since his last proper concerts in 2018 and is currently unable to walk.—
SPIN Staff,
SPIN,
17 Feb. 2025
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Like many police departments across the country, RPD has been plagued by a large number of unfilled positions since the pandemic and the wider cultural response to George Floyd's killing in Minneapolis.—
Zachery Eanes,
Axios,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To everyone who is grieving today – whose grief has defined your very existence for the past 503 days – please reach out for help.—
Samantha Joseph,
Boston Herald,
22 Feb. 2025
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Chege hasn’t had much time to grieve the loss of her job.—
Jennifer Liu,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
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As Dieter screamed in agony, Kier fled to the waterfall to escape the sound.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
7 Feb. 2025
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The woman continued to experience abdominal pain for years after her procedure, but the source of the agony could not be explained by her doctors, the lawsuit said.—
Kate Linderman,
Kansas City Star,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
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With his son murdered in 2015, his mother’s illness and eventual transition, his wife passing away in January 2024, and many other instances of loss, Garry was forced to surrender to the reverberating, omnipresent feelings of grief.—
Jason Phillips,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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The book explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
Verb
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After the war broke out, Lina insisted on helping shield the persecuted – Jews and Roma, among them – at great risk.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2025
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According to court records, two plaintiffs fled Afghanistan due to fears that the Taliban might persecute them over their support for the United States.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
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But during the Week 15 game, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to put Campbell into the game, because Greenlaw was aching from soreness in his Achilles tendon.—
Paulina Dedaj,
Fox News,
22 Feb. 2025
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Amid her first climb, Jesse feels a spiritual connection to nature and is left aching for more, belting out songs of her new revelations and ambitions.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 28 Feb. 2025.
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