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anguish

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verb

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
And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway. Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025 Some silently stared at the house while others vocally expressed anger and anguish, the Blade reported. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
Abraham Lincoln hated the death penalty and anguished over every case in which he was asked to commute it. The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024 Trump has won voters who once voted for FDR, and Democrats will anguish over how to get them back without alienating the other parts of their coalition, including women, young people and people of color. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
  • On Tuesday, April 29, Patrick Cooper filed a lawsuit against Tisci, 50, claiming assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress and violations of New York State’s Gender-Motivated Violence Act.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • At least 4 in 10 U.S. adults experienced high levels of psychological distress at some point during the pandemic, according to four Pew Research Center surveys conducted between March of 2020 and September of 2022.
    Alex Backus, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025
  • In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.
    Janet Shamlian, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • But the final 22 minutes of Game 5 demonstrated the same weaknesses that plagued Orlando for the entire season and throughout the playoff series.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • But this preoccupation may have been a way to offset the general malaise that plagued her.
    Elizabeth Djinis, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Out West in Colorado, mourners grieved not only the passing of a spiritual guide but for a leader who was deeply engaged with the world's most urgent issues.
    Juliana Kim, NPR, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Scammers have been known to impersonate the deceased to exploit grieving friends and family.
    Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Ellie is stricken with agony, her reaction almost feral.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
  • The agony of not knowing was heartbreakingly illustrated by the plight of Oscar Johnson, of St. Charles.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Physically active grief travel Grief inevitably brings up a swirl of thoughts and emotions.
    Leslie Hsu Oh, Vogue, 1 May 2025
  • Grief expert and author David Kessler says that grief must be witnessed, and The Dinner Party premise is about witnessing grief by bringing grievers together in community.
    Holly Corbett, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In a video posted to his Truth Social platform in December 2023, Trump accused the FBI and DOJ of sending undercover spies to churches to persecute people of faith.
    Ross Rosenfeld, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The statement concluded with an expression of solidarity with Christians who are persecuted.
    Chloe Breyer, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Warm baths, heating pads, or warm socks can comfort aching feet.
    Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Williams recalled visiting 10 doctors over four years, trying to figure out what was causing her symptoms, including aching limbs, fatigue and chronic diarrhea.
    Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

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