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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 anguished
Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
The recovery ended more than three days of waiting for the anguished Montes family, who live about four blocks from the Deep River crash scene.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 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
An arrest this week nine months after a fatal Brooklyn hit-and-run crash has done little to ease the pain of the victim’s anguished family.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
The recovery ended more than three days of waiting for the anguished Montes family, who live about four blocks from the Deep River crash scene.
—Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 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
-
The new officers will take their leadership positions amid strength in Tyson Foods’ chicken and prepared foods segments, while the beef segment has been plagued by multi-million dollar operating losses.—
Dylan Sherman,
Arkansas Online,
8 June 2026
-
In Seasons 1-4, that vicar is Sidney Chambers (James Norton), a jazz enthusiast plagued by memories of WWII who offers unsolicited insights to gruff and initially ungrateful Det.—
Culture Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The other thing most people miss is the sheer scale of what’s actually being grieved.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
28 May 2026
-
Indigenous men grieved but also fumed when women were attacked.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Adjective
-
On the soundtrack, mournful wailing music presents her as a tragic character.—
Murtada Elfadl,
Variety,
2 June 2026
-
The pair end the episode romantically riding together with a mournful song playing, which is akin to Dutton-family love-making.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
During and shortly after the Spanish Civil War, Franco’s regime, too, persecuted Esperantists for the language’s association with anti–nationalism and anarchism.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
-
Blanche, who defended the fund at a congressional hearing this week, has said anyone who believes they’ve been persecuted can apply for compensation regardless of political affiliation.—
Eric Tucker,
Fortune,
23 May 2026
Verb
-
The tributes and memorials poured in 2009 as he was mourned around the world.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
-
Following the announcement of Ali’s death, he was mourned by people around the world.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
Adjective
-
Ali later finds her, a moment that leaves him completely heartbroken, before testing the drugs and confirming they were laced with fentanyl.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
-
Horace leaves Hollywood and a heartbroken but determined Aaron behind.—
Meredith Maran,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Losses from cattle afflicted by the parasite could run into the billions of dollars, with larger effects across the American economy, according to USDA estimates.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
-
Identifying Black Spot Roses can be afflicted by several common plant diseases.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguished. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
