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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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
Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025
Some silently stared at the house while others vocally expressed anger and anguish, the Blade reported.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
The Editors, National Review, 16 Dec. 2024
Trump has won voters who once voted for FDR, and Democrats will anguish over how to get them back without alienating the other parts of their coalition, including women, young people and people of color.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Noun
And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.
—Outside Online, 26 Mar. 2025
Some silently stared at the house while others vocally expressed anger and anguish, the Blade reported.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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
Trump has won voters who once voted for FDR, and Democrats will anguish over how to get them back without alienating the other parts of their coalition, including women, young people and people of color.
—Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 5 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for anguish
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anguish
Noun
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Kahle said that includes providing resources to participants for whom sharing experiences of intimate partner violence may cause trauma or mental health distress.—
Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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Climate anxiety — emotional distress linked to the climate crisis — is already widespread.—
Brooke Kasl-Godley,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.—
Janet Shamlian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Puerto Rico is frequently plagued by power outages, with the most recent island-wide event on New Year's Eve taking days to resolve.—
Taylor Ardrey,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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Now a depth arm in the organization who was called up from triple-A Oklahoma City for a spot start Wednesday, Miller’s first MLB outing of 2025 mirrored the struggles that plagued him over the rest of 2024.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Scammers have been known to impersonate the deceased to exploit grieving friends and family.—
Kurt Knutsson, CyberGuy Report,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Out West in Colorado, mourners grieved not only the passing of a spiritual guide but for a leader who was deeply engaged with the world's most urgent issues.—
Juliana Kim,
NPR,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Ellie is stricken with agony, her reaction almost feral.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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The agony of not knowing was heartbreakingly illustrated by the plight of Oscar Johnson, of St. Charles.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The film tells the story of a tech entrepreneur (Vincent Cassel) grappling with memory and grief.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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Although some in the media distort the anger directed at Rowling from trans activists, trans people, and allies, the truth is those feelings — not just anger, but betrayal and grief — are justified.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
18 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In a video posted to his Truth Social platform in December 2023, Trump accused the FBI and DOJ of sending undercover spies to churches to persecute people of faith.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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The statement concluded with an expression of solidarity with Christians who are persecuted.—
Chloe Breyer,
New York Daily News,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Warm baths, heating pads, or warm socks can comfort aching feet.—
Sarah Jividen,
Verywell Health,
22 Apr. 2025
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My heart aches for those who knew and loved Gabriela, Florinda, and Jeanette, as well as the additional victim, and are now in mourning this Easter weekend.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
21 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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