anguish
ANG-gwihsh
Anguish (noun) means Severe mental or physical suffering, often caused by grief, loss, or distress. Example: “The family was in anguish after hearing the news.”
noun
1
Severe mental or physical suffering, often caused by grief, loss, or distress.
"The family was in anguish after hearing the news."
"She wrote about her anguish following the divorce."
verb
1
To suffer or cause severe mental distress.
"He anguished over the decision for weeks before choosing."
How to use anguish
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIntense emotional or physical pain, usually from grief or a hard situation.
Common pairings
cry out in anguish
anguish over a decision
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like anguish.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- anguishes
- Third person singular
- anguishes
- Past tense
- anguished
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The family was in _____ after hearing the news.
Etymology
From Old French angoisse, from Latin angustia ("narrowness, distress"), from angere ("to strangle, cause pain").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for anguish
See all rhymes for anguish →Frequently asked questions
What does “anguish” mean?
The word “anguish” means severe mental or physical suffering, often caused by grief, loss, or distress. In plain terms, intense emotional or physical pain, usually from grief or a hard situation.
How do you pronounce “anguish”?
“Anguish” is pronounced ANG-gwihsh (/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “anguish” in a sentence?
Here is “anguish” used in a sentence: “The family was in anguish after hearing the news.”
What part of speech is “anguish”?
Depending on how it is used, “anguish” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “anguish” come from?
The word “anguish” comes from Latin. From Old French angoisse, from Latin angustia ("narrowness, distress"), from angere ("to strangle, cause pain").
Is “anguish” a common word?
“Anguish” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anguish” have?
“Anguish” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: severe mental or physical suffering, often caused by grief, loss, or distress.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include anguish:
