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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of anguish
Dan Gooding
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
As members of the group told Francis about the plight of LGBTQ+ people in the church, including some suicide attempts, Francis clutched the cross around his neck and a look of anguish flashed across his face, DeBernardo says.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
John Yoon, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Abraham Lincoln hated the death penalty and anguished over every case in which he was asked to commute it.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
For turning pain and anguish into a lasting difference ...
—Dan Gooding
peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 May 2025
As members of the group told Francis about the plight of LGBTQ+ people in the church, including some suicide attempts, Francis clutched the cross around his neck and a look of anguish flashed across his face, DeBernardo says.
—John Blake, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
South Korean officials on Monday began the slow, painstaking process of piecing together the many body parts found in the wreckage after the country’s worst plane crash in decades, as hundreds of relatives, waiting to receive the victims’ bodies, grew more anguished by the hour.
—John Yoon, New York Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Abraham Lincoln hated the death penalty and anguished over every case in which he was asked to commute it.
—The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
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The organization provides up to eight free mental health and counseling sessions to youth and their families who have experienced gun violence, abuse or emotional distress.—
Kamal Morgan,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
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Noumea’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre notified Carnival Splendor about a distress call from a catamaran while the ship was traveling south of New Caledonia on Thursday, according to a news release.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Long time residents throughout the Bay Area and beyond will recall the shock and sorrow of Nov. 27, 1978, when White walked into City Hall and shot Milk and Moscone.—
Georgia Rowe,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
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In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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But travel remains plagued by inefficiencies with disconnected booking systems, delays without real-time resolution and reliance on legacy infrastructure and software that slow rather than facilitate the journey.—
Omry Litvak,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
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To top it off, an air traffic control meltdown plagued Newark Liberty International Airport for weeks after staffing shortages and technology outages caused hours-long delays.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Verb
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See how these teens are grieving — and healing — together.—
Elizabeth Robinson,
NBC news,
29 May 2025
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You are allowed to grieve the version of love that existed uniquely between the two of you.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Noun
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Barking in agony, the fox scratches and claws in any attempt to free itself and get to safety.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
28 May 2025
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Michaela calmly explains that Jocelyn got botched plastic surgery that’s kept her in private agony for the last decade.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Healing from this kind of grief requires being honest with yourself about your emotions.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
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While navigating the grief of losing her mother and being the new girl in town, Kat meets Casper, the ghost of a young boy who died from pneumonia.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
26 May 2025
Verb
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Leopoldo chose to be the voice of the people who elected him, and was persecuted for it.—
Imamu "Mu" Tomlinson,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2025
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His parents, Marcelo Netto and Miriam Leitão, are both journalists who resisted the dictatorship and were persecuted.—
Marcelo Cajueiro,
Variety,
27 May 2025
Verb
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Can Joe hoist his aching knees and weary butt back in the competitive saddle?—
Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
22 May 2025
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But Kealoha offers Lilo a wellspring of sadness and aching loneliness just beneath the surface of her more impish qualities.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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