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
Relevance
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
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 anguished
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Ibrahim has one anguished question for me.
—
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 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
The Al Otro Lado case, which sparked Sotomayor’s anguished dissent, involved the Administration’s bid to avoid processing asylum claims.
—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
26 June 2026
Ibrahim has one anguished question for me.
—
Janine Di Giovanni,
Vanity Fair,
25 June 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.
-
The show manages to stay on the brink — always laughing, never quite weeping — for its entire length.
Verb
-
Aside from the peeling of the waterproof coating, the reflecting pool has been plagued by an algae bloom, a persistent problem due to Washington’s high heat during the summer and the pool’s shallow depth, which creates an ideal biological incubator.
-
Now fully healthy after knee injuries plagued his rookie season, Thiero’s versatility in summer league could potentially translate to regular-season minutes.
Verb
-
While the family grieved, the Willard Police Department got to work.
-
The other thing most people miss is the sheer scale of what’s actually being grieved.
Adjective
-
The years have only intensified Zimmerman’s mournful, hushed vocal performance, and Dream Me a Dream often plays out like a bedtime story spun by a beloved elder, accompanied by soft strings, shakers, and even a synth or two.
-
The drama can stir up nostalgia and mournful emotions, and feels personal to many.
Verb
-
The Washington Principles also recognize that many sales of artwork by Jews during the Nazi era occurred while they were being persecuted, or under duress.
-
Representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine have been persecuted.
Verb
-
Noticias Telemundo confirmed the deaths with Trejo’s soccer club, Club Sport Marítimo de La Guaira, which mourned the tragic loss of their player’s family.
-
He was mourned by friends and family Sands' funeral details were kept private by the family, but several people close to the actor publicly spoke out about his death.
Adjective
-
Was, still heartbroken about the loss of his friend and bandmate, recalled their first time on tour.
-
Prince Harry was heartbroken after arriving at Eton College in 1998.
Verb
-
Jude, meanwhile, was shifting from tossing cones to tugging at his ears, afflicted with the same malady that had landed several of the toddlers on the room’s version of the injury list.
-
They are both afflicted by cognitive and/or hearing issues.
Cite this Entry
“Anguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguished. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
