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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anguish
Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
But the intellectual self-questioning and anguished artistic experimentation that began in the early twentieth century after the annihilation of Europe’s old verities did not find fertile ground in the United States, either before the war or after it.
—Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
But listen carefully as the howls of anger and anguish are even louder coming out of Philly and Beantown.
—Bill Madden, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026
Fuqua’s focus is on the music, with songwriting, video production and choreography scenes, and full-length live performances tackled with staggering precision by Jaafar Jackson, who also sensitively delivers Michael’s repressed anguish in confrontational scenes with his father.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
But the intellectual self-questioning and anguished artistic experimentation that began in the early twentieth century after the annihilation of Europe’s old verities did not find fertile ground in the United States, either before the war or after it.
—Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
-
That said, debt settlement can be a legitimate option, particularly for those who are already in severe financial distress, have accounts that have already gone to collections or are weighing bankruptcy as the alternative.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
6 May 2026
-
Hantavirus is an illness carried by rodents that can spread to humans and cause acute respiratory distress.—
Jessica Puckett,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Unique is meant to embody that racial trauma, but Moore doesn’t possess the grit necessary to make the pain and sorrow resonate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The reader feels the moment’s vitality and presence, and the sorrow at its loss, but not because Ford insists on it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Rumors of affairs plague all royals, even those no longer with us.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
2 May 2026
-
The document outlines steps to address failures in the agency’s affordable housing programs and financial reporting that have plagued the agency since 2019.—
R.A. Schuetz,
Houston Chronicle,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
The Professor, with only her ex-partner’s cat for company, sits in her decaying apartment and grieves the loss of her relationship and her struggle with infertility.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2026
-
Group for individuals grieving death of spouse or life partner.—
Staff Report,
Baltimore Sun,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
Hidden is the agony of parents mourning the loss of their babies.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
-
This multi-generational story explores the beauty, agony, and hilarity of loving other people deeply.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Though Hathaway’s performance registers the harrowing contradictions of grief responses, the movie around her lacks the confidence to go darker.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
-
Though attendees are visibly upset, there is no open casket, eulogy or any harping on grief.—
Jordana Comiter,
PEOPLE,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
Individuals with Jewish heritage through their father or a grandparent sometimes identified as Jewish or were persecuted for their Jewish heritage, as was the case under the Nazi regime.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
30 Apr. 2026
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Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
When his tiredness turned into a 105 degree fever and body aches, his parents took him to a local emergency room.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
Once again, my heart surprisingly aches for Kristen.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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