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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anguish
Joshua Dougherty,
Idaho Statesman,
22 June 2026
Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
The claimants are asking for $10 million against each respondent and said their damages include medical care, psychological and counseling care and pain, suffering and mental anguish.
—
Joshua Dougherty,
Idaho Statesman,
22 June 2026
Canada’s first-ever World Cup win was overshadowed yesterday when midfielder Ismaël Koné suffered a broken leg after a tackle that left teammates shaken and coach Jesse Marsch lamenting an injury that turned a night of celebration into one of anguish.
—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
20 June 2026
Verb
There is a mood to these stories, sardonic and anguished in turn, that gets under your skin.
—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
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The Hoffmans are suing Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
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Not to mention smoking hot Hart Bochner as the himbo-in-distress.
Noun
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Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
Verb
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Instead, Isaac, 28, will become an unrestricted free agent after nine years in Orlando that were plagued by injury.
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Greenberg tried his best to ignore an irritating ankle injury that had plagued him the last couple of weeks and grimaced under the hazy sunlight as the pitcher, probably 20 or more years his junior, stared him down.
Verb
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Ask for Help Early Handling all these administrative duties alone while grieving is a burden no one should have to carry.
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Ramsay, a mother of four, including Dylan, has become someone grieving families often call when their child dies in the water.
Noun
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Adding to Rezaeian’s agony, right before the final whistle another potential clincher, a header from Khalilzadeh, hit the crossbar.
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The agony of Sudan runs deep; its history is crisscrossed with blood.
Noun
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After learning that her friend Shannon’s mother has died in a car accident, Elle is suddenly facing her first real encounter with grief and, unable to sit with it, throws herself into planning the memorial, down to selecting the music.
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This town has known seasons of many stripes, from that autumn of grief after 9/11 to that spring of solitude and trepidation as COVID-19 first emerged.
Verb
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Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
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Pennsylvania’s 1682 frame of government promised that law-abiding people would not be persecuted for their religious views or forced to worship.
Verb
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For five days leading up to his donation, Siqueiros-Lasky will receive injections that spike his blood stem cell production, which can cause bone and muscle aches.
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But after a long day on the slopes, your aching limbs might need a cooldown, which is where the home’s sizable indoor pool comes in.
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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