Cool MateAnguish vs Torment
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Anguish
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Torment
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B1noun
Most formal: Anguish
| Anguish | Torment | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈæŋɡwɪʃ//🇺🇸 //ˈæŋɡwɪʃ// | 🇬🇧 //ˈtɔː.mɛnt//🇺🇸 //ˈtɔːr.mɛnt// |
| Meaning | Extreme sadness or pain. | extreme pain or suffering |
| Example | She cried out in anguish after receiving the bad news. | The constant criticism was a source of great torment for her. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | anguish of childbirth, anguish over loss, anguish in silence, feel anguish, express anguish | mental torment, physical torment, torture and torment, live in torment, feel torment |
| Antonyms | joy, happiness, comfort | comfort, relief, pleasure |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'anguish' vs 'anguished' (the adjective form), Overused in casual contexts where 'pain' or 'sadness' might be more appropriate, Spelled incorrectly as 'anguise' | Confusing 'torment' with 'torture' – 'torture' has a stronger, more physical connotation., Using 'torment' in sentences without the right context, especially in casual settings., Mispronouncing the word, leading to misunderstandings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'anguish' in serious or emotional contexts. It's often found in literature and formal writing, less in casual conversation. | Use 'torment' to describe severe emotional or physical suffering. It's neutral, suitable for both written and spoken contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Anguish vs Torment
What's the difference between Anguish and Torment?
Anguish: Extreme sadness or pain. Torment: extreme pain or suffering
Which is more formal: Anguish and Torment?
Anguish is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Anguish: She cried out in anguish after receiving the bad news. Torment: The constant criticism was a source of great torment for her.
Can I use Anguish and Torment interchangeably?
Not always. Anguish and Torment are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.