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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
Haley Robson described the anguish caused by ever-metastasizing Epstein conspiracy theories and endless Epstein news cycles, and her hope that releasing the files could finally put the case to bed. Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 6 Sep. 2025 Above all, there’s Rob, whose romantic getaway has turned into a slog of romantic anguish. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2025
Verb
Teresa Romero, president of United Farm Workers, the labor union that has long represented California field hands from Mexico and other points outside the United States, said in a statement Saturday night that Garcia's death has left the organization anguished. Dennis Romero, NBC news, 13 July 2025 The senator from New Jersey and the governor of Kentucky both urged Democrats from around Florida to restore their party’s image, offered prescriptions for a resurgence, and inspired inspiration for party activists anguished about what’s happening under President Donald Trump. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 22 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
  • Those with suicide ideation might attempt suicide, but these attempts often represent a desire to escape distress as opposed to end-of-life issues.
    Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • In Pennsylvania, lawmakers have still not broken out of the impasse, spelling financial distress for schools and counties that rely particularly heavily on state funding.
    Isabella Volmert, Fortune, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • View each period of pain, sorrow, and struggle as a natural precursor to your inevitable growth.
    Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Similarly, fellow country artists such as the Dixie Chicks, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill expressed their sorrow over his passing.
    Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • In 1988, a catastrophic heat wave and drought plagued the United States, killing thousands of people and triggering over $80 billion in damage.
    Zack Savitsky, Quanta Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Getty Images The Department of Education posted a new update on Monday on massive application backlogs plaguing several federal student loan forgiveness and repayment programs.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The Fox News personality wrote on social media to grieve Kirk’s death.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Devon Mostert, the wife of NFL running back Raheem Mostert, grieved the assassination of conservative political influencer Charlie Kirk on Wednesday.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Hank, having already experienced life-changing failure, is also able to absorb beatings that would destroy most people, endure the agony, and leap back into action.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
  • The buddy story ended in agony when it was revealed that Edwards was on the list and complicit in the ambush plot.
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Meanwhile, the headphones, meant to unify the audience in a shared soundscape, instead isolate viewers into their glowing silos, which feels like an ironic choice for a show supposedly about communal grief.
    David Hochman, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Devastation and grief coursed through the building, where the president and his aides were in a state of shock.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The former human-rights lawyer entered on a tourist visa and filed for political asylum in October of that year, claiming the governments that succeeded Correa were persecuting him.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The decree eliminated many of the civil liberties in Germany, opening the way for the Nazis to persecute their opponents.
    The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The sole has Skechers’ GogaMat technology, which provides support and bounce that prevents feet from aching.
    Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Part of her had always felt an aching imposter syndrome and a difficulty controlling her emotions.
    Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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