anguish

/ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ/noun

Deep, intense suffering of the body or the mind.

Example sentences

“The parents waited in anguish for news of their missing son.”
“The anguish in her voice told us the news from the hospital was bad.”

Heavier and more literary than "distress", and more often mental than physical. People cry out "in anguish".

Featured as word of the day on September 19, 2026.

Synonyms for anguish

agony
torment
suffering
misery

Antonyms

joy
comfort

Related words

distressStrong pain, worry, or suffering of the body or mind, often sudden and severe.griefDeep sadness, especially the kind felt after losing someone or something important.heartbreakIntense sorrow or emotional pain, usually caused by losing someone or being badly disappointed.dreadTo feel great fear or deep anxiety about something that is going to happen.terrorA feeling of extreme fear.despairTo lose all hope or stop expecting anything good.