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anguish

anguish

79 6.8
A very strong, painful feeling of worry or sadness
  • noun
  • /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
: angustia
  • The anguish of losing a loved one can be overwhelming and long-lasting.
  • mental anguish
  • pain and anguish
  • anguish and suffering

So the trip was really well worth the anguish that I had being there.

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Examples

  • A scream only born of pure anguish broke through the air.

  • I feel a sharp twist of anguish at having hurt my friend.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • But the main source of anguish is not being seen for who you are, not being understood.

  • Otherwise, we should be crying out in anguish every moment of every day at the evil around us.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I understand your anguish, my son... but you must not let it harden your heart.

  • My mental turmoil and anguish were too great for my mind to bear.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • It has become a nation that serves a few while ignoring the anguish of the many.

  • The anguish of the Earth absorbs eyes, till beauty shines in all that we can see.

  • "His breath came in short spasms of anguish as he replayed the scene."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Her face was a mask of such anguish that Pitt felt it was intrusive.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

pain
vsanguish
∞ 1.8

A deep sad feeling caused by losing someone or something

is more extreme and broader than that simple hurt
misery
vsanguish
285 2.8

A feeling of great unhappiness and suffering

is about severe pain or distress rather than long unhappiness
distress
vsanguish
253 3.6

A state of very strong pain, worry or serious trouble

is focused on extreme pain rather than general emotional difficulty
agony
vsanguish
139 3.9

A very strong physical or mental pain

is severe suffering that can be intense but also more prolonged
torture
vsanguish
  • Offensive
109 7.2

Very strong mental or physical pain that is hard to bear

covers severe pain broadly and not only deliberate harm
torment
vsanguish
  • NSFW
60 5.6

Great physical or mental pain someone feels

is severe pain not necessarily caused by another person
suffering
vsanguish
27 2.8

Feeling pain in the body or mind

is more acute and intense rather than general prolonged hardship
mental anguish
vsanguish
7 7.5

A strong long-lasting pain in the mind from worry or trauma

is broader, including physical and shorter episodes of severe pain
excruciation
vsanguish
1 9.9

A very severe physical or emotional pain someone feels

is severe pain but not limited to sharp or acute quality
unutterable pain
vsanguish
  • Literature
8.6

A feeling of pain too strong to describe in words

is severe pain that can sometimes be described in words

Antonyms

joy
815 1.0

A strong feeling of great happiness

497 1.0

A feeling of comfort when pain or worry goes away

288 1.0

A feeling of physical ease and being free from pain

Compounds

A strong long-lasting pain in the mind from worry or trauma

How Painful

agony
139 3.9
anguish
79 6.8
distress
253 3.6
pain
∞ 1.8
discomfort
118 3.2

Surface Forms

anguish singular
anguishes plural

Etymology

Anguish comes from the Latin words angustia 'tightness' and angere 'to choke', so picture your chest being squeezed; that image helps you remember that anguish means very deep mental or physical pain.