pang

[ pang ]

noun

1. a sudden feeling of mental or emotional distress or longing:

   a pang of remorse; a pang of desire.

   Synonyms: stab, prick, throb, ache, twinge

2. a sudden, brief, sharp pain or physical sensation; spasm:

   hunger pangs.

   Synonyms: stab, prick, throb, ache, twinge

pang

/ pæŋ /

noun

1. a sudden brief sharp feeling, as of loneliness, physical pain, or hunger

Word History and Origins

Origin of pang¹

First recorded in 1495–1505; origin uncertain

Word History and Origins

Origin of pang¹

C16: variant of earlier prange, of Germanic origin

Example Sentences

They're trying to alleviate the pangs of longing for those not currently with them.

From BBC

If they answered questions incorrectly, they lost real money and may have felt a pang of — you guessed it — regret.

From Los Angeles Times

As I watched it, I thought I even felt a pang of sympathy for all those Fox viewers who haven’t changed the channel since 2016 and had nowhere else to turn.

From Salon

It is something Ms Mahachi is acutely aware of as she cracks open some wild fruit to stave off her hunger pangs, unsure about what lies ahead in the coming months for her young family.

From BBC

I was enthralled and always felt a pang of sadness when the Games were over and Bob Costas was no longer on my TV every night.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agony
• anguish
• discomfort
• spasm