# anguish

/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ (US) · /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/anguish
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. extreme suffering

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

extreme pain or suffering, especially in your mind.

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun to describe a general state of suffering.

### 2. to suffer greatly

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

to feel extreme pain or worry about something.

For teachers: to suffer extreme pain or distress; to be extremely distressed about a situation.

- 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.

Usage: Commonly used with the preposition 'over'.

## Examples

- She felt deep anguish after the loss.
- The family expressed their anguish during the long wait for news.
- His anguish was not merely personal but reflected the collective despair of a generation torn apart by war.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.