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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anguished
Andrew Dampf, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
There is the sound of anguished crying, and words that are unclear under the burden of pain.
—Longreads, 3 Feb. 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
She was treated for long, anguished minutes as a hush fell over the crowd waiting far below at the finish line.
—Andrew Dampf, Arkansas Online, 9 Feb. 2026
There is the sound of anguished crying, and words that are unclear under the burden of pain.
—Longreads, 3 Feb. 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 Pistons also were plagued by turnovers (20 that led to 25 Cavaliers points) and fouling (Cleveland attempted 22 more free throws).—
Darnell Mayberry,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
The new facility replaced the detention center at 1300 Cherry Street, which is more than four decades old and had fallen into partial disrepair and had long been plagued by unsafe overcrowding and allegations of abuse and mismanagement.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
10 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 plaintive melodies are mournful yet comforting.—
Michelle F. Solomon,
Miami Herald,
12 May 2026
-
The ambient-dub duo returns with a warm and mournful new record that seems to spend most of its runtime fading in and out.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
6 May 2026
Verb
-
When hunted, poisoned, and persecuted, the coyotes scattered and regrouped, their numbers surging a hundred-fold.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
Other human rights lawyers have been recently prosecuted in Russia, including Maria Bontsler, a prominent lawyer who defended individuals persecuted by politically motivated charges.—
Irwin Cotler,
Time,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Houston community members and public figures mourned Thy Mitchell and her two children Tuesday after they were first confirmed dead by her sister in a Facebook post.—
Michael Garcia,
Houston Chronicle,
6 May 2026
-
In the comments, fans mourned the loss of the Texas staple.—
Molly Burford,
Southern Living,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
So, understandably, they were left heartbroken after discovering the dog had escaped his yard on Chicago's Northwest Side.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
The Beckhams, who sold their crash pad in One Museum Tower in downtown Miami, but maintain a spec house in Miami Beach, are said to be heartbroken about the estrangement.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Once diagnosed, pancreatic cancer has been a death sentence for those afflicted in the vast majority of cases.—
Chicago Tribune,
Twin Cities,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 1602, she was afflicted by a slew of symptoms, such as convulsions, fits, and terrors.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguished. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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