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.

"Come and help me! I'm on the front line in Ukraine, I'm fighting for Russia," he begged Equatorial Guinea's President Teodoro Obiang Nguema in an anguished voice message sent to his parents.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

Mr. Mahajan’s “The Complex” is an anguished, intelligent study of ambition decoupled from principles, and of the complacency and fear that allows it to thrive.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 11, 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

The exhausted Humbug swayed and tottered on his rubbery legs, a look of longing on his anguished face.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster

anguished

Example Sentences

Related Words