anguish
Americannoun
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
noun
verb
Related Words
See pain.
Etymology
Origin of anguish
First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English anguisse, from Old French, from Latin angustia “tight place,” from angust(us) “narrow” + -ia -ia; cf. anxious
Explanation
The noun anguish refers to severe physical or emotional pain or distress. A trip to the dentist might cause a cavity-prone person a lot of anguish. We get this word from a Latin word, angustus, which literally meant "narrow" but developed the figurative sense of "distressed" — think of being choked off or forced into a small space. In modern times anguish has been in the English with the parallel and related meanings of "physical torment" and "emotional suffering." Both kinds might be experienced at the hands of a dentist who likes to make his patients squirm in agony.
Vocabulary lists containing anguish
The Hate U Give
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Esperanza Rising
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"Of Mice and Men"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"This fund would be a game changer for them. You cannot describe the pain and anguish when a loved one is going through cancer," she said.
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
Her brother, the sculptor Augustus John, wrote after reading her personal papers that her faith may have given her “some moments of peace, consolation or ecstasy,” but also “much anguish of mind.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
But the former captain wants his players to learn from Thursday's anguish and approach the Northern Ireland friendly as they would a competitive fixture.
From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026
Within the first 72 hours of a 26-day game, “Survivor 50,” featuring 24 veteran players, had already delivered feuding, anguish and heartbreak.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
Roy Baty, in the other room, let out a cry of anguish.
From "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?" by Philip K. Dick
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
