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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The delays have caused extra anguish for some plaintiffs who have taken out loans against their settlement.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Victor J. Blue, Harpers Magazine, 23 Nov. 2025
Diddy’s anguished plea for mercy.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
His murder was met with fury and anguish.
—Literary Hub, 6 Feb. 2026
The delays have caused extra anguish for some plaintiffs who have taken out loans against their settlement.
—Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
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
Diddy’s anguished plea for mercy.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
-
Other geese that were still alive were experiencing distress, Halter said.—
Joe Brandt,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This bleeds into how damages are assessed in the aftermath of an accident, as everything from medical bills to lost wages and emotional distress are critical element that will be legally considered.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow and condolences to the victims’ families and directed authorities to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Feb. 2026
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And this production certainly has that, making for a consistently entertaining drama that can quicken your heart one minute and plunge it into profound sorrow the next.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That first test flight was also plagued by hydrogen fuel leaks before blasting off, as well as a helium issue similar to the one that arose Saturday.—
Marcia Dunn,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Nell Tiger Free stars as a young novice who works at a Catholic orphanage plagued by mysterious, disturbing circumstances.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While a celebratory mood spreads across the country, survivors of a deadly fire in Hong Kong are still grieving with little to celebrate, like this man who lost his wife in the blaze.—
CNN staff,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
One of the other cheer moms who spoke with Fox News Digital confirmed there had been tensions among some parents but said the focus now is on the children grieving.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.—
Staff Photographer,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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Latinx people of conscience recognize our own tios, tias, primos, primas, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers in the brown faces being livestreamed with blood and agony pouring into enraged mouths asking for help.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The three women, all widows, were brought together by their shared grief and desire to help others in the same situation.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
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The study found that many of those surveyed used crochet to manage their mental health and help them with grief, chronic illness, and pain.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Branding peaceful protesters as ‘terrorists,’ and Christians that are persecuted every year as ‘Zionist mercenaries,’ is nothing but scapegoating.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
13 Feb. 2026
-
The Secret Agent’s primary setting is a house full of misfits and refugees in the northeastern city of Recife, a safe harbor from those persecuted by the country’s military regime, ruled over by the inimitable Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria, whose role was written specifically for her).—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In the bitter New Hampshire night, my skull ached with tight, tectonic pressure.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Lenderman tackled the title track at Zootown Arts Community Center in Missoula, Montana, in October 2022, performing an aching 12-minute rendition.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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