1
as in plaguing
to cause persistent suffering to
she was anguished by the fear that her sons would die in the war
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in grieving
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 anguishing
Hong Kong is an anguishing example.
—
Michelle Kuo,
The Dial,
14 Apr. 2026
Especially for someone whose entire adult life has been immersed in the adrenaline-infusion of coaching — from its exhilarating highs and anguishing lows to simply always being in the middle of so much.
—
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Michelle Kuo,
The Dial,
14 Apr. 2026
Especially for someone whose entire adult life has been immersed in the adrenaline-infusion of coaching — from its exhilarating highs and anguishing lows to simply always being in the middle of so much.
—
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguishing
Verb
-
Different aspects can make downtowns undesirable and several issues have been plaguing cities on both sides of the Atlantic recently.
-
For one, the blue material likely has no direct relation to the large algal blooms that are also plaguing the monument, according to Tim Auerhahn, chairman of the Aquatic Council.
Verb
-
Scammers look for grieving spouses, newly single homeowners and families dealing with estate paperwork.
-
It’s set in a recognizably near-future, where a grieving couple who have recently lost their son in a tragic accident decides to adopt a humanoid child — one that looks and sounds the same as their dead child.
Verb
-
Cholera, a waterborne bacterial disease, has unleashed a perilous wave across southern Africa, with active outbreaks currently afflicting five countries in southern and central Africa.
-
Never mind the economic turbulence afflicting the country and the world, driven most recently by rising gas prices because of the war in Iran.
Verb
-
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.
-
The band's retro-modern blend of sierreño and corridos tumbados put a next-gen spin on traditional Mexican music, layering Pedro's aching vocals over lush arrangements of acoustic guitar and soulful horns.
Verb
-
Biden weaponized Law Enforcement against his political opponent, while also persecuting many other innocent people.
-
Jack Hayford, the founder of the King’s University, in Texas, claimed that the film was persecuting Christians, who only wanted to be treated equally.
Verb
-
Fitzsimmons said Swift's fans have spent years following the singer's love life, celebrating its highs and mourning its lows.
-
Venezuelan football and the entire nation are in mourning.
Verb
-
Henry Bernard Montgomery, 38, was arraigned Monday afternoon on one count of third-degree killing/torturing animals and given a $20,000 bond with a GPS tether.
-
In fact, the disease has been torturing humans for at least 5,500 years, according to a study published today in the journal Nature .
Verb
-
The internet may be full of people who want to outlaw leaf blowers, but misophonic triggers tend to share a bodily quality, an aurally traceable culprit such as a person crunching or sighing.
-
Also, remember that the avatar is reading your body language, eye contact, any kind of sighing or moaning.
Cite this Entry
“Anguishing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguishing. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
