anguish
extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering
His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
anguish
an‧guish /ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable] written
[Date: 1100-1200; Language: Old French; Origin: angoisse, from Latin angustiae 'extreme upset', from angustus 'narrow']
mental or physical suffering caused by extreme pain or worry:
the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her
—anguished adjective:
an anguished cry for help
• • •
THESAURUS
■ the feeling of being worried
▪ worry the feeling of not being happy or relaxed and thinking a lot about a problem or something that is wrong: She was sick with worry over her daughter. | the look of worry on his face
▪ anxiety the feeling of being worried because you think that something bad has happened or will happen, and you feel that you have no control over the situation: The thought of having to give a speech filled me with anxiety. | The increase in heating costs is causing a lot of anxiety among elderly people.
▪ concern a worried feeling – use this especially when many people are worried about a problem that affects everyone: The shortage of water is beginning to cause widespread concern.
▪ stress the feeling of being worried all the time, for example about work or personal problems, which can make you ill or very tired: Her financial problems were causing her a lot of stress.
▪ anguish a feeling of extreme mental suffering caused by worry: How could her parents survive the anguish of not knowing what had happened to her? | When she spoke, her voice was full of anguish.
▪ angst a strong feeling of worry and anxiety because you are worried about your life, your future, or what you should do in a particular situation: The letter was full of teenage angst - would she ever be able to find another boyfriend? | There was much angst about the decision.
Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
anguish
an·guish [anguish anguishes anguished anguishing] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] [ˈæŋɡwɪʃ] noun uncountable (formal)
severe pain, mental suffering or unhappiness
• He groaned in anguish.
• Tears of anguish filled her eyes.
Derived Word: anguished
Word Origin:
Middle English: via Old French from Latin angustia ‘tightness’, (plural) ‘distress’, from angustus ‘narrow’.
Example Bank:
• He looked across at Kate's anguished face.
• Jack looked anguished, almost desperate.
• She read the letter, gave an anguished cry and collapsed.
Example Bank:
• He suffered the anguish of watching his son go to prison.
• His mouth felt dry with anguish.
• In her anguish, she turned to her father for help.
• The loss of a pet can cause some people real anguish.
• his anguish at the death of his son
• to cry out/groan/scream in anguish
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
anguish / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃ / noun [ U ]
extreme unhappiness caused by physical or mental suffering:
His anguish at the outcome of the court case was very clear.
In her anguish she forgot to leave a message.
anguished / ˈæŋ.ɡwɪʃt / adjective
an anguished cry
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary
anguish
[æ̱ŋgwɪʃ]
N-UNCOUNT
Anguish is great mental suffering or physical pain. [WRITTEN]
A cry of anguish burst from her lips...
Mark looked at him in anguish.
Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary
anguish
an·guish /ˈæŋgwɪʃ/ noun [noncount] : extreme suffering, grief, or pain
• tears/cries of anguish
• He experienced the anguish of divorce after 10 years of marriage.
• mental anguish
• They watched in anguish as fire spread through the house.
- an·guished /ˈæŋgwɪʃt/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• She looked at me with an anguished expression.
• I will never forget their anguished cries.
