as in weeping
expressing or suggesting mourning
an anguished cry the military's explanation of the accident did nothing to console the anguished widow
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in plagued
to cause persistent suffering to
she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieved
to feel deep sadness or mental pain
I anguished over the loss of my father for years afterwards
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anguished
Longreads, 3 Feb. 2026
The Dodgers’ $240-million signing of Kyle Tucker revived anguished cries that the team is ruining baseball.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for anguished
Adjective
There is the sound of anguished crying, and words that are unclear under the burden of pain.
—Longreads, 3 Feb. 2026
The Dodgers’ $240-million signing of Kyle Tucker revived anguished cries that the team is ruining baseball.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Verb
Insert anguished grimace emoji here.
—Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 24 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for anguished
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguished
Adjective
-
And every day, across from them, outside the clinic, about to enter or just leaving, there were women hugging each other and weeping.—
David Mamet,
National Review,
11 Aug. 2022
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.—
Helen Shaw,
Vulture,
8 Dec. 2021
Verb
-
In a powerful and disquieting GQ profile, the band and some immediate friends and family unraveled the struggles that have plagued their lucrative but life-altering reunion, a kind of cautionary tale for leveling up after settling down.—
Sam Sodomsky,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
-
Several Republicans running for governor have sought to tie Klobuchar to Walz, arguing Democrats as a whole are to blame for the fraud that’s plagued Minnesota’s social services.—
Mary Murphy,
Twin Cities,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
Schools brought in counselors for the victims’ young classmates and neighbors grieved at a growing memorial.—
Sophie Bates,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2026
-
The saga unfolded as Carla and Carlotta grieved an unrelated loss.—
Jennifer Cannon,
Vanity Fair,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The hour-long event included mournful hymns, prayers and the laying of wreaths by the participants, which included representatives from many countries around the world.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
His face, always stationed somewhere halfway to hangdog, seems to gain 20 new creases carved deep into his skin, accentuating his mournful eyes and his excruciated, heartbroken smile.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Walker, however, agreed with the majority that the president cannot deport migrants to countries where they will be persecuted or strip them of mandatory procedures that protect against their removal.—
Michael Kunzelman,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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In the comments, fans mourned the loss of the Texas staple.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Homicide detectives are investigating the fatal shootings of three adults in Baldwin Park last week — two of whom were a married couple, officials said, who were being mourned by their college-age children.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
At the end of the book, feeling heartbroken about Marcus’ involvement in Nancy’s death, Mary kills Howard by giving him too many painkillers.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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The heartbroken mother didn’t want to be identified, fearing for her family’s safety.—
Kerry Burke,
New York Daily News,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguished. Accessed 5 May. 2026.
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