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Definitions

anguished

[ang-gwisht] / ˈæŋ gwɪʃt /
ADJECTIVE
grief-stricken
Synonyms
STRONGEST
distressed heartbroken
WEAK
cheerless dejected depressed despairing devastated down heartsick heavy-hearted hurting inconsolable melancholy miserable morose overcome troubled unhappy woebegone
ADJECTIVE
miserable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
gloomy pathetic sad tragic unhappy wretched
WEAK
afflicted agonized ailing brokenhearted crestfallen dejected depressed desolate despairing despondent destroyed disconsolate discontented distressed doleful dolorous down down in the mouth downcast forlorn heartbroken hopeless hurt hurting ill in pain injured melancholy mournful not happy on a downer pained pitiable racked rueful ruthful sick sickly sorrowful strained suffering tormented tortured troubled woebegone wounded
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy joyful
WEAK
elated merry
ADJECTIVE
mournful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
forlorn sad
WEAK
bereft cheerless depressed disconsolate distressing doleful dolent full of sorrow grief-stricken grieving grievous heartbroken in mourning in pain in sorrow lamentable pitiful sombre woeful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
cheerful happy joyful
ADJECTIVE
pained
Synonyms
STRONGEST
distressed troubled
STRONG
hurt injured worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected
ADJECTIVE
tragic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appalling awful calamitous cataclysmic deadly deplorable destructive dire disastrous dreadful fatal fateful grievous grim harrowing heartbreaking miserable painful pathetic pitiful sad shocking terrible unfortunate
WEAK
adverse crushing deathly desolate doleful forlorn hapless heart-rending ill-fated ill-starred lamentable mournful pitiable ruinous sorrowful unhappy woeful wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blessed calming cheerful comforting delightful encouraging excellent fortunate good great happy harmless healthful healthy hopeful joyful joyous life-giving lucky nice pleasant pleasing trivial unimportant wholesome wonderful worthwhile
WEAK
advantageous successful
ADJECTIVE
troubled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
agitated anxious bothered concerned confused distraught distressed disturbed frightened irritated pained plagued puzzled scared tormented tortured unsettled worried
STRONG
aggravated alarmed annoyed beset chagrined discombobulated disconcerted displeased disquieted flustered harried harrowed inconvenienced irked miffed mortified perplexed perturbed pestered provoked riled ruffled shaken terrified upset vexed
WEAK
afraid apprehensive fearful in a tizzy overwrought put out uneasy worried stiff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain comforted content happy sure unconcerned untroubled unworried
STRONG
pleased
WEAK
at ease balanced collected composed cool peaceful quiet sane settled sound
ADJECTIVE
uncomfortable
Synonyms
STRONGEST
angry annoyed awkward confused embarrassed fatigued harsh miserable nervous restless self-conscious tired uneasy weary
WEAK
aching chafed cheerless comfortless discomfited discomposed disquieted disturbed exhausted galled hurt ill at ease in pain pained smarting sore stiff strained suffering troubled vexed worn wracked wretched
Antonyms
STRONGEST
activated calm easy energized fresh happy joyful lively refreshed
WEAK
comfortable content painless
ADJECTIVE
uneasy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid agitated anxious apprehensive edgy fearful impatient insecure irritable jittery nervous precarious restless shaky strained suspicious tense troubled uncomfortable unsettled unstable
WEAK
alarmed all nerves bothered constrained discomposed dismayed disquieted disturbed fidgety fretful harassed ill at ease in turmoil irascible jumpy on edge on the qui vive palpitant peevish perplexed perturbed restive shaken tormented unquiet upset vexed worried wrung
Antonyms
STRONGEST
at ease bold brave calm certain composed confident content cool courageous definite easygoing firm happy indubious laid-back nice peaceful quiet settled sound stable steady strong sure unafraid undoubted unfearful unworried
WEAK
comfortable
ADJECTIVE
woeful
Synonyms
STRONGEST
appalling awful calamitous deplorable disappointing disastrous dreadful feeble grim lamentable lousy miserable paltry pathetic pitiful shocking sorry wretched
WEAK
afflicted agonized bad catastrophic cruel disconsolate disgraceful distressing doleful gloomy grieving grievous heartbreaking heartrending heartsick hopeless inadequate mean mournful piteous pitiable plaintive poor racked rotten sorrowful tortured tragic unfortunate unhappy
Antonyms
STRONGEST
blessed cheerful comforting encouraging excellent fortunate good happy hopeful joyful lucky nice pleasing rich satisfactory wealthy wonderful worthwhile
WEAK
glad

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Scenes of celebration at the prison gates included several prisoners with shaved heads who shouted "We are free!" as they exited, ending an anguished wait by their families.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

"What did he mean?" an anguished Hannah asked, removing her face from her hands.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

We would live in a swirl of anguished mass confusion.

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2026

Her character has tracked him down for a reckoning that is all the more anguished for being so dangerously ambiguous.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 15, 2025

He looked across the fire at Lennie’s anguished face, and then he looked ashamedly at the flames.

From "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.