anguish 1 of 2

1
2

anguish

2 of 2

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
Coogler attempts to out-scare Jordan Peele’s Get Out, using horror tropes to match the anguish expressed by the blues. Armond White, National Review, 18 Apr. 2025 Less convincing are the scenes where this vaguely humanoid star-man has to express emotional anguish. A.a. Dowd, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 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
  • The letter noted that Connelly allowed this to carry on as West showed symptoms of neurological and behavioral distress.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • But while there was undeniable joy in that surreal experience, a quiet sorrow lingered beneath it all.
    Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • The aubade flourishes wherever lovers try to cling to a few more moments together before the sweet sorrow of parting.
    A.O. Scott, New York Times, 1 May 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
  • In a system plagued by fragmentation, mobile care can deliver both clinical impact and operational edge.
    Paulina Wierzbicka, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • That particular parade took its toll on Parton, who is still grieving her longtime love.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Please remind yourself that your father’s wife is also grieving and isn’t her best at this time.
    Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 1 May 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
  • No truly advanced society persecutes animals for sport.
    Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
  • During its reign of terror, the Ustaše regime persecuted and murdered hundreds of thousands of Serbs, Jews and Roma, as well as Croatians opposed to their rule.
    Larry Luxner, Sun Sentinel, 5 May 2025
Verb
  • Since Madison’s passing, an aching silence has taken root in the hearts of all who knew her — family, friends and the thousands who followed her journey on social media.
    Carissa Talmage, People.com, 2 May 2025
  • Protecting our heart from breaking or aching puts tension into the chest area.
    Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 12 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anguish

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!