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
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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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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of anguish
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
As Abby and Kel shared that moment at the school formal, the camera cut to Kate looking at them in anguish with tears in her eyes.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
From afar, Silva, who lives in Iowa, has watched her sister’s anguish deepen with no word from her husband.
—
Sonia Osorio,
Miami Herald,
25 June 2026
As Abby and Kel shared that moment at the school formal, the camera cut to Kate looking at them in anguish with tears in her eyes.
—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
23 June 2026
Verb
There is a mood to these stories, sardonic and anguished in turn, that gets under your skin.
—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
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Watch closely for signs of heat distress in yourself and others, including your neighbors and the elderly, Delaney said.
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Never upside down — The flag should never be displayed upside down except as a signal of distress.
Noun
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Kara is addicted to drowning her sorrows and avoiding responsibility, but learns to embrace heroism after embarking on a quest for revenge alongside Ruthye (Eve Ridley).
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but these guys aren’t going gently into the night just yet.
Verb
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Andrew Harnik | Getty Images A rocky start The anniversary rollout has also been plagued by problems on the ground.
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In the 30 years following the tune’s release, disappointment has only continued to plague the Three Lions.
Verb
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Ask for Help Early Handling all these administrative duties alone while grieving is a burden no one should have to carry.
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Ramsay, a mother of four, including Dylan, has become someone grieving families often call when their child dies in the water.
Noun
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Adding to Rezaeian’s agony, right before the final whistle another potential clincher, a header from Khalilzadeh, hit the crossbar.
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The agony of Sudan runs deep; its history is crisscrossed with blood.
Noun
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After learning that her friend Shannon’s mother has died in a car accident, Elle is suddenly facing her first real encounter with grief and, unable to sit with it, throws herself into planning the memorial, down to selecting the music.
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This town has known seasons of many stripes, from that autumn of grief after 9/11 to that spring of solitude and trepidation as COVID-19 first emerged.
Verb
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The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.
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Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
Verb
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For five days leading up to his donation, Siqueiros-Lasky will receive injections that spike his blood stem cell production, which can cause bone and muscle aches.
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But after a long day on the slopes, your aching limbs might need a cooldown, which is where the home’s sizable indoor pool comes in.
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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