pang

noun \ ˈpaŋ \

Definition of pang

1 :a brief piercing spasm of pain

the pangs of childbirth

2 :a sharp attack of mental anguish

pangs of remorse

a pang of guilt

a pang of disappointment

See pang defined for English-language learners

See pang defined for kids

Examples of pang in a Sentence

those hunger pangs that strike you in the middle of the afternoon

Recent Examples of pang from the Web

Such pangs rang familiar to some attendees on Monday.

— matt flegenheimer and alexander burns, New York Times, "Democrats Try to Find Economic Message After Railing Against Trump," 24 July 2017
Our nation’s children deserve to experience summer breaks filled with fun, not hunger pangs.

— diane whitmore schanzenbach, Time, "How You Can Help Save Local Kids From Going Hungry This Summer," 18 July 2017
These three components sustain me through the desolate stretches, when my appetite pangs seem urgent and important.

— maggie lange, Bon Appetit, "The Only 3 Snacks You Need For Your Long-Haul Summer Roadtrip," 10 July 2017
His poems knock the wind out of you, first with laughter, then with pangs of heartbreak.

— jacob gedetsis, kansascity.com, "The KC guide to summer reading: Books by Kansas Citians or set here," 23 June 2017
In their final confrontation, Chuck told his younger brother that high-minded intentions and pangs of conscience don’t matter—

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "Better Call Saul Finally, Tragically, Ignites Change," 20 June 2017
But since the first birth pangs of the AHCA, message-conscious Republicans have insisted that cost increases in the current system should be blamed on the Obama administration, not on them.

— chicagotribune.com, "Republicans, stoking insurer panic, cite uncertainty as a reason to pass health care bill," 6 June 2017
And in her private moments Claire is obviously experiencing some new pangs.

— spencer kornhaber, The Atlantic, "House of Cards Season 5, Episode 6: The Live-Binge Review," 31 May 2017
An actual, physical pang in my chest that elicited tender feelings.

— nikki volpicelli, Glamour, "30 Years Later, It's My First Mother's Day With a Sober Mom," 11 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pang.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pang

origin unknown

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

pang Synonyms

Synonyms

ache, pain, prick, shoot, smart, sting, stitch, throe, tingle, twinge

Related Words

discomfort, distress, soreness, tenderness; affliction, agony, anguish, misery, sufferance, suffering, torment, torture; inflammation, sore, swelling; damage, detriment, harm, hurt, injury; backache, bellyache, charley horse, colic, complaint, earache, gripe, headache, stomachache, toothache

Near Antonyms

comfort, ease, easiness

pang

verb

Definition of pang

transitive verb

:to cause to have pangs :torment

Recent Examples of pang from the Web

Its sonic trappings are in vogue, but thanks in large part to front-woman Fox Rodemich’s memorable voice, which pangs around the record like a cave bellow, there’s an outlying classic quality to these songs.

— dylan owens, The Know, "The week in local albums: Shady Elders, Otis Taylor and Gasoline Lollipops," 16 Feb. 2017