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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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
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
The woman is seeking monetary damages in excess of $50,000 for pain and suffering, mental anguish, depression and more, and is requesting a jury trial.
—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
9 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
Week after week, his digits splayed across his helmet in anguish after passes ticked off his hands and into the grass.
—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
9 June 2026
The woman is seeking monetary damages in excess of $50,000 for pain and suffering, mental anguish, depression and more, and is requesting a jury trial.
—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
9 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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But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
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At times the longing feels sweet and the search like a little sorrow.
Verb
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The high school exam board, CBSE, has faced public outrage over an electronic marking system plagued with technical glitches, during which students said answers were wrongly marked or, in some cases, answer sheets were omitted entirely.
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The department said that all reopenings of the Reflecting Pool have been plagued by algae blooms and that vacuuming up the algae would take a couple of days.
Verb
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Following a career in the federal government, Jackson turned to cooking to grieve the death of his brother.
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The story is constructed around a love connection made when candid voicemails sent by a grieving San Francisco prep cook wind up in the ear of the wrong person — a cute guy in Austin.
Noun
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The reticence of Cartland’s heroes belies agonies of loneliness.
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And your character is in such agony.
Noun
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At one point, Humphrey said the shock and grief of it all became too much.
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Yet even in the midst of grief, the family chose compassion.
Verb
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Supporting people who have too often been, and continue to be, persecuted and othered would be a direct way to address the suffering.
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It's partially inspired by director Benjamin Christensen's research on the German text Malleus Maleficarum, a guide to witchcraft for inquisitors looking to persecute its perpetrators.
Verb
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Deep trust grows with clear boundaries as aching Chiron enters your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources.
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Systemic symptoms may include dizziness, headaches, a rapid heart rate, fatigue, intense thirst, and body aches.
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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