Anguish/ˈæŋɡwɪʃ/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity Used to describe extreme emotional pain often from personal loss or failure. His anguish was palpable when he spoke of his divorce. Pro Tip 2/3Physical Pain Can refer to intense physical suffering, not just emotional. She felt a sharp anguish in her side during the marathon. Pro Tip 3/3Use Sparingly A strong word, so use it only for serious and profound situations. The novel described the anguish of war survivors.