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
Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
The first Trump Administration didn’t deliver many material gains to the rural poor—deaths of despair continued to rise, and wages continued to stagnate—but at least Trump spoke to their anguish and seemed outraged on their behalf.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 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
Pro golfer Grayson Murray’s parents are opening up about their ongoing anguish in the wake of their son’s suicide last year.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 24 Feb. 2025
The first Trump Administration didn’t deliver many material gains to the rural poor—deaths of despair continued to rise, and wages continued to stagnate—but at least Trump spoke to their anguish and seemed outraged on their behalf.
—Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 17 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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At the Santa Monica test location after the rains, the level of beryllium — a metal that is toxic to fish and corals and causes respiratory distress in humans — was more than 10 times the maximum limit allowed.—
Corinne Purtill,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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The result: Some doctors and hospitals have held back on treatments, waiting for the fetal heartbeat to stop or for patients to wind up in undeniable distress.—
Kavitha Surana,
ProPublica,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Tomorrow is the day this profound sorrow renews my motivation.—
Bluesky Social,
Bluesky Social,
31 Mar. 2025
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The book, which spans the twenty-odd years of Mii’s life, describes the daily joys and intimacies of having a pet, the difficulties that come with an aging cat, and the sorrows of outliving one’s animal companion.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The community support comes at an apartment complex that both residents say is plagued with drugs and violence.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2025
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The firm works heavily with the community surrounding the market and carries a mission to identify and establish alternatives to the pitfalls plaguing fashion’s current business model including overproduction and greenwashing.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
These were unimaginable choices for grieving parents to make in such a short time.—
Danielle J. Brown,
Baltimore Sun,
31 Mar. 2025
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That’s the message this grieving man brought to the world figure skating stage.—
Steve Buckley,
New York Times,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
With espresso especially, the right grinder can be the difference between ecstasy, agony, and simple defeat.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
1 Apr. 2025
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According to the outlet, the agony caused Cornett to remove her name outside her dorm room, temporarily relocate to emergency housing, switch to online classes and continue to spend most of her time in her room.—
David Chiu,
People.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
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But grief and a hunger for justice will do that to a man, especially one with the wired intensity of Rami Malek.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Apr. 2025
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This sends Charlie down a rabbit hole of indescribable grief.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The Roman authorities persecuted Christians harshly, subjecting them to torture and deaths even more gruesome than crucifixion.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
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The former president has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and says he's being politically persecuted.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Behind every aching word, Konanki’s mother’s weeping did not cease.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN,
24 Mar. 2025
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As Frank speaks, Rick is aching to satisfy his desire for revenge in what Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) correctly identifies as a ridiculous, Princess Bride-style plot to kill the man who killed his father.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anguish.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anguish. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.
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