ANGUISH Synonyms: 253 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'anguish' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of anguish are grief , regret , sorrow , and woe . While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread. // the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

Q: When could 'grief' be used to replace 'anguish'?

The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause. // the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

Q: When can 'regret' be used instead of 'anguish'?

Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse. // nagging regret for missed opportunities

Q: When might 'sorrow' be a better fit than 'anguish'?

While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse. // a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

Q: When would 'woe' be a good substitute for 'anguish'?

The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery. // cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

anguish 1 of 2

noun

ˈaŋ-gwish

Definition of anguish

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

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

anguish

2 of 2

verb

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anguish different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When could grief be used to replace anguish?

The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When can regret be used instead of anguish?

Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When might sorrow be a better fit than anguish?

While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When would woe be a good substitute for anguish?

The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of anguish

Noun

It can only really be described by the faces of anguish and pure joy on the face of English supporters who have watched every second of their team’s campaign this summer – often packing pubs in the earlier hours for the chance to celebrate together. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 15 July 2026 But that’s Nolan, who’s always going to lead with his head and who even here circles around the sacking of Troy like the eventual sight of it will unlock all the anguish its protagonist feels but can’t express. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 15 July 2026

Verb

Hong Kong is an anguishing example. — Michelle Kuo, The Dial, 14 Apr. 2026 Especially for someone whose entire adult life has been immersed in the adrenaline-infusion of coaching — from its exhilarating highs and anguishing lows to simply always being in the middle of so much. — Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anguish

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish

Noun

OpenAI has said its ChatGPT program is trained to recognize signs of emotional distress, de-escalate situations, and guide users to real-life support.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
The two men filed a lawsuit against Unity Medical Center alleging emotional distress caused by negligence and medical malpractice, claiming the facility robbed them of the lives they were meant to live.

— Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of distress

Noun

The only other person in the 21st century who might’ve had as uncanny an ability to look beneath the sordidness and sorrow of red carpets and walks of fame to find truth and even poetry might be David Lynch.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 23 July 2026
Commenters flooded Aquino’s social media accounts with support, expressing their sorrow at the news of her death.

— Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

Verb

Accusations of racial profiling have long plagued the department, alienating generations of Black and brown Angelenos.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 24 July 2026
The institution had been plagued by declining enrollment and budget deficits which resulted in staff layoffs, culminating in Vanderbilt’s purchase of the institution early this year.

— News Desk, Artforum, 23 July 2026

Definition of plague

Verb

Just over one week later, as the families continue to grieve and finalize the teens’ funeral plans, their thoughts and prayers are being sent to their friend in the hospital still fighting for his life.

— Eric Adler July 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026
The families of these men and women grieving, heartbroken, yet filled with pride.

— ABC News, ABC News, 26 July 2026

Definition of grieve

Noun

The scene plays out beautifully the joy yet grief that Emmett is dealing with as an only child who has recently lost the person who was always there.

— Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 23 July 2026
Fifteen years after the Grammy-winning singer’s death, her mother Janis Winehouse opened up about dealing with grief and her daughter’s reluctance toward success in a new interview with The i magazine.

— Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 23 July 2026

Definition of grief

Verb

The Chinese government denies the Uyghurs have been or are being persecuted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 24 July 2026
As a senator, Marco Rubio was a strong supporter of the bureau and human rights broadly, once arguing from the Senate floor that safeguarding the freedoms of gay men who were persecuted in Chechnya — and all people — was in the national interest.

— Anna Maria Barry-Jester, ProPublica, 17 July 2026

Definition of persecute

Verb

The outdoor swimming pool and loungers overlook the surrounding countryside, and the sauna in a traditional dome is ideal for aching legs.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026
Sandals are easy to slip on, preventing smudging and providing immediate and soothing relief from aching and swelling.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026

Definition of ache

Browse Nearby Words

angst

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anguished

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“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of anguish

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