anguish — severe mental or physical pain and suffering
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: severe mental or physical pain and suffering
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/
Example Sentences
- The student was in anguish after realizing he had been studying for the wrong exam all week.
- Parents often anguish over whether to give their teenagers more freedom or stricter rules.
- The chef was in absolute anguish when he accidentally put salt instead of sugar in the wedding cake.
anguish
NOUN[/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/]
severe mental or physical pain and suffering

She felt deep anguish after losing her beloved dog.

His face showed anguish after hearing the heartbreaking news. (💔 Heartbreak + 😢 Deep Pain → Anguish)

She overcame anguish, vanquished despair, and began to flourish again.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old French 'anguisse', derived from Latin 'angustia' meaning 'narrowness' or 'tightness', which comes from 'angustus' (narrow). The sense evolved metaphorically to describe the tightness of emotional or physical distress.
Breakdown
Latin 'angustus' (narrow, tight) + Old French suffix '-isse' → 'anguisse' → English 'anguish' (the tightness/constriction of severe suffering)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The student was in anguish after realizing he had been studying for the wrong exam all week.”
“Parents often anguish over whether to give their teenagers more freedom or stricter rules.”
“The chef was in absolute anguish when he accidentally put salt instead of sugar in the wedding cake.”
“She anguished over her decision to move abroad, leaving her family behind.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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