Word
anguish
Phoneticsan·guish, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
UK/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
Definitions
01extreme suffering
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. extreme pain or suffering, especially in your mind.
n. extreme mental or physical pain; excruciating distress or suffering.
“He felt deep anguish when he realized he had lost his wedding ring.”
“The families of the victims waited in silent anguish for news regarding the rescue operation's progress.”
Antonyms
02to suffer greatly
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Formal
v. to feel extreme pain or worry about something.
v. to suffer extreme pain or distress; to be extremely distressed about a situation.
Español:angustiarse
“She anguished over the decision for weeks before finally choosing a career path.”
“The committee anguished over the ethical implications of the new policy before reaching a final consensus.”
Real-World Examples
“There is no dramatic farewell; instead, the moment is marked by Singer’s silent anguish.” “Photograph: Charlotte Caldwell It is an upbeat outcome to a story that for many years was marked by anguish.” “So she goes on stage and channels her anguish into her singing, thereby impressing the director Ms Parker (Stephanie Beatriz, from TV’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine) that she gets the lead.” Etymology
From Middle English angwissh, anguishe, angoise, from Anglo-Norman anguise, anguisse, from Old French angoisse, from Latin angustia (“narrowness, scarcity, difficulty, distress”), from angustus (“narrow, difficult”), from angere (“to press together, cause pain, distress”). See angst, the Germanic cognate, and anger.
From Middle English angwischen, anguis(s)en, from Old French angoissier, anguissier, from the noun (see Etymology 1).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/anguish
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0