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

Watching the Olympics this year amid endless, compounding climate disasters has given me pangs of that pandemic-at-Disney-World feeling.

From Time

When I left my assistant role with the Director and finally went out into the field to execute the Bureau’s marching orders, I felt pangs of conscience.

From Time

Ma’s fate sent pangs of anxiety through the tech ecosystem—as well as some relief.

From Time

The moment was sweet, but a pang of vulnerability rose in my chest.

From Time

Much of quarantine was plagued with pangs of anxiety for people across the globe.

From Quartz

Winick and Ling still miss Zamora with a “sharp pang of grief.”

From The Daily Beast

If Barack Obama—or any of his other senior aides—felt a pang about the departure of Axe and Gibbs, they did not show it.

From The Daily Beast

I felt a pang of shame—it was time to take my sons to Africa.

From The Daily Beast

As he moved into view, he must have felt a pang of anxiety, even fear.

From The Daily Beast

It is impossible to watch the 'fillers' at work without feeling a pang of envy for their toughness.

From The Daily Beast

A pang, a bitterness that lasted for a day or for a year—and the gap would be filled again by some one else.

From Project Gutenberg

The first true pang of grief shot through Ethel like a dart, stabbing and taking away her breath, "Where are they?"

From Project Gutenberg

"She may be hurt internally," spoke up Matt, feeling a pang of pity as he looked at the pale little face.

From Project Gutenberg

It was either for them to suffer one sharp pang now, or to endure a greater dragging misery.

From Project Gutenberg

Somehow it gave Lawrence a little pang to hear this, then he cast the thought out as unworthy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agony
• anguish
• discomfort
• spasm