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anguish

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anguish different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of anguish are grief, regret, sorrow, and woe. While all these words mean "distress of mind," anguish suggests torturing grief or dread.

the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child

When could grief be used to replace anguish?

The words grief and anguish are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause.

the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents

When can regret be used instead of anguish?

Although the words regret and anguish have much in common, regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse.

nagging regret for missed opportunities

When might sorrow be a better fit than anguish?

While the synonyms sorrow and anguish are close in meaning, sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse.

a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death

When would woe be a good substitute for anguish?

The meanings of woe and anguish largely overlap; however, woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery.

cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city

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 anguish
Noun
While others are content to anguish or pontificate over the plight of working San Diegans, Elo-Rivera is tackling the cost of living crisis head-on with his push to pass an ordinance mandating a $25 minimum wage for San Diego’s tourism workers. U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 July 2025 Counselors at the Trevor Project hear the anguish over the anti-LGBTQ+ backlash in the voices of young callers seeking help through the lifeline, Boyd said. Tyrone Beason follow, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025
Verb
Where his previous projects were conflicted and often anguished, this one is celebratory. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 23 May 2025 Others will be anguishing over Irving (John Turturro) and Burt (Christopher Walken), whose respective and collective fates weren’t addressed at all. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 21 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
  • That move has proved disastrous in terms of casualties, domestic economic distress, the mass migration of hundreds of thousands of Russians opposed to the war, and isolation from the global capitalist economy.
    Ronald Suny, The Conversation, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Attorneys leading the cases say the app’s failure to protect sensitive data has caused emotional distress, harassment and potential identity theft for users, and could have catastrophic consequences for the company.
    Nour Rahal, Freep.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • On the OpenAI community forums and Reddit, long-time chatters are expressing sorrow at losing access to models like GPT-4o.
    Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 8 Aug. 2025
  • As images of starving children in Gaza continue to circulate and the international outcry grows louder, a number of American rabbis used their pulpits to speak up about the humanitarian crisis, some with sorrow, others with moral urgency, and many with a sense that silence was no longer tenable.
    Asaf Elia-Shalev, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • No mysteries plagued Preller this summer as far as which Padres positions needed upgrades ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Diversity in jury pools have been longstanding issues plaguing the criminal justice system.
    Christopher Cann, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • At the time, Sampson and his family were grieving the recent loss of their beloved dog, Caddie, who inspired another one of his books, Caddie the Golf Dog.
    Clea Haran, Parents, 7 Aug. 2025
  • As dozens of agencies scour the dense forests and mountains that bookend the town, residents are privately grieving the tragedy at a bar that holds a special place in their hearts – and the history of the region.
    Elizabeth Wolfe, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • For many, the relationship with tequila ended in their early 20s with promises made to some dormitory deity — often made of porcelain — to end a miserable night’s agony.
    Todd Harmonson, Oc Register, 4 Aug. 2025
  • My wing-scarfing strategy was to plow through as many as possible before the agony set in, then survive the remainder without committing the day-ruining error of touching my eyes.
    Bradley Hohulin, IndyStar, 2 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The flood tied together the grief of not only the Hunt and Kerrville school districts, but of all Central Texas.
    Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025
  • Inspired by the director’s late friend Valentina, the film offers a personal perspective on grief and closure.
    Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 18 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In late-night filings Thursday, the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office pushed back on recent framing by Combs’ lawyers portraying him as persecuted.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Open Doors is a global Christian charity which supports and speaks up for Christians persecuted for their faith.
    Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025
Verb
  • When his side ached for the next couple of days, X-rays revealed the fractures.
    David O'Brien, New York Times, 8 Aug. 2025
  • With Hasan in Gaza is an aching witness to the beauty of this land and the struggle of its people, neither of which may soon be recognizable at all.
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 7 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

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