First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1anguish
noun an·guish \ˈaŋ-gwish\
: extreme suffering, grief, or pain
Full Definition of ANGUISH
: extreme pain, distress, or anxiety
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Origin of ANGUISH
Middle English angwisshe, from Anglo-French anguisse, angoisse, from Latin angustiae, plural, straits, distress, from angustus narrow; akin to Old English enge narrow — more at anger
Related to ANGUISH
- Synonyms
- affliction, agony, distress, excruciation, hurt, misery, pain, rack, strait(s), torment, torture, travail, tribulation, woe
- Antonyms
- blessedness, bliss, blissfulness, cheer, cheerfulness, cheeriness, delight, ecstasy, elatedness, elation, euphoria, exhilaration, exuberance, exultation, felicity, gladness, gladsomeness, glee, gleefulness, happiness, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, pleasure, rapture, rapturousness
Synonym Discussion of ANGUISH
sorrow, grief, anguish, woe, regret mean distress of mind. sorrow implies a sense of loss or a sense of guilt and remorse <a family united in sorrow upon the patriarch's death>. grief implies poignant sorrow for an immediate cause <the inexpressible grief of the bereaved parents>. anguish suggests torturing grief or dread <the anguish felt by the parents of the kidnapped child>. woe is deep or inconsolable grief or misery <cries of woe echoed throughout the bombed city>. regret implies pain caused by deep disappointment, fruitless longing, or unavailing remorse <nagging regret for missed opportunities>.
Rhymes with ANGUISH
2anguish
verb
Definition of ANGUISH
intransitive verb
: to suffer anguish
transitive verb
: to cause to suffer anguish
First Known Use of ANGUISH
14th century
ANGUISH Defined for Kids
anguish
noun an·guish \ˈaŋ-gwish\
Definition of ANGUISH for Kids
: great physical or emotional pain
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