anguished

1 of 2

adjective

an·​guished ˈaŋ-gwisht 

1

: suffering anguish : tormented

the anguished martyrs

2

: expressing anguish : agonized

anguished cries

anguished

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of anguish entry 2

Synonyms of anguished

Adjective

• weeping
• mournful
• heartbroken
• funeral
• grieving
• wailing
• bitter
• agonized

Examples of anguished in a Sentence

Adjective

the military's explanation of the accident did nothing to console the anguished widow

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The story takes place during the course of one evening, in a hazy spiritual plane where anguished souls are caught between life and the hereafter. — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026

The financial loss left Walker depressed, anguished and possibly suicidal. — Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026

But the story was also conveyed by amateur bloggers and civilians with cameras, who had the poise and wherewithal to post images, alerts, and their own anguished reactions so that the world would see with their own eyes—and respond. — David Friend, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026

The courtroom was filled with anguished coaches, teammates, friends and family. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English anguysched, from past participle of anguischen "to anguish entry 2"

First Known Use

Adjective

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for anguished

• languished