anguished

adjective

an·​guished ˈaŋ-gwisht How to pronounce anguished (audio)
Synonyms of anguishednext
1
: suffering anguish : tormented
the anguished martyrs
2
: expressing anguish : agonized
anguished cries

Synonyms of anguished

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Examples of anguished in a Sentence

the military's explanation of the accident did nothing to console the anguished widow
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The courtroom was filled with anguished coaches, teammates, friends and family. — Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026 By the end of the month, the tone of Rivas Hernandez’s messages had grown more anguished. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026 The creator of vivid, indelible fantasies for women to try on and to embody was also a fragile and anguished man, troubled throughout his life by alcohol, drug dependency, and bouts of debilitating depression. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026 Drew Bos, last seen at OPFT as Romeo’s buddy Benvolio in 2024, stars as the Danish prince whose visions of his late father (Charls Sedgwick Hall) prompt an anguished internal reckoning over his bitter desire for revenge and suicidal thoughts. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for anguished

Word History

Etymology

Middle English anguysched, from past participle of anguischen "to anguish entry 2"

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of anguished was in 1570

Rhymes for anguished

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anguished
anguis in herba
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Cite this Entry

“Anguished.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anguished. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anguished

Nglish: Translation of anguished for Spanish Speakers

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