immense anguish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense anguish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep and overwhelming sense of suffering or emotional pain. Example: "After the loss of her beloved pet, she was engulfed in immense anguish that seemed unbearable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We went through a lot of immense anguish because of this man".

The New York Times

For now, it's the mystery of the year — and a source of immense anguish for the families of the missing passengers and crew.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Our noise for some seconds passed beyond excitement into a kind of immense open anguish, a wailing, a cry to be saved.

The New Yorker

"You know: mired in depression, mired in immense mental anguish") have just returned to their San Francisco apartment from a "bon voyage" party for one of Derek's friends, where Mired spent the better part of the evening insulting the hostess.

The New York Times - Books

His patience in knuckling down when Newman went showed immense maturity and the anguish as he trudged off, having denied himself a deserved century,was plain to see.

BBC

Hailing "Joe" as "a film of Freudian anguish, biblical savagery and immense social and cinematic importance," Time magazine ranked the final sequence with the climax of "Bonnie and Clyde".

The New York Times

Mr. Kentridge, born in Johannesburg in 1955, has always tackled an immense and urgent subject: his country's anguish and inequity in the wake of apartheid.

The New York Times - Arts

Barenboim seemed very aware of Bruckner's immense debt to Wagner in moments of exquisite harmonic anguish reminiscent of Tristan und Isolde.

The Guardian - Music

Covering cartel violence in Mexico since 2001, I have stared at hundreds of bloody corpses and heard the anguish of too many of their loved ones, which brings home the immense human cost.

The New York Times

In her last Paris triumph at the Olympia Music Hall, all that was left of Piaf was all that had ever counted — her immense, infallible voice, which rose to the roof, carrying its enormous, authentic outcry of banal phrases of anguish over lost loves, and poignant despair of happiness that would never arrive.

The New Yorker

Mental anguish.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "immense anguish", consider the context and ensure it accurately reflects the intensity of the emotional pain being described. Reserve it for situations where the suffering is truly profound.

Common error

Avoid using "immense anguish" to describe everyday disappointments or minor inconveniences. This phrase is best suited for representing experiences of significant trauma, loss, or profound suffering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense anguish" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition to describe a state of intense suffering or emotional pain. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the analyzed examples corroborate its use in News & Media context to describe dramatic and painful events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "immense anguish" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a state of profound emotional suffering. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is most commonly found in News & Media contexts and carries a neutral to formal tone. While the phrase itself is valid, it should be used judiciously to accurately reflect the intensity of the situation being described. Alternatives like ""profound grief"" or ""intense suffering"" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe mental anguish

Specifies that the anguish is mental or psychological in nature.

intense suffering

Uses "suffering" to denote the experience of pain, both physical and emotional.

profound grief

Replaces "anguish" with "grief" to focus on sorrow and mourning.

overwhelming distress

Replaces "anguish" with "distress" to highlight a sense of being overwhelmed.

great agony

Highlights the intense pain and struggle associated with the experience.

deep sorrow

Substitutes both "immense" and "anguish" for simpler terms emphasizing sadness.

extreme pain

Focuses on the severity of the emotional or psychological hurt.

unbearable heartache

Specifically refers to the emotional pain related to loss or disappointment.

excruciating torment

Emphasizes the torturous and agonizing nature of the suffering.

consuming despair

Suggests a feeling of hopelessness that takes over one's thoughts and emotions.

FAQs

How can I use "immense anguish" in a sentence?

You can use "immense anguish" to describe a situation of extreme suffering. For example: "The families of the missing passengers experienced "immense anguish" after the plane disappeared."

What words are similar to "immense anguish"?

Alternatives to "immense anguish" include "profound grief", "deep sorrow", or "intense suffering". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "immense anguish" or "great anguish"?

"Immense anguish" and "great anguish" are both valid, but "immense" suggests a more overwhelming and all-encompassing feeling than "great" does.

Can "immense anguish" be used to describe physical pain?

While "immense anguish" typically refers to emotional or mental suffering, it can be used metaphorically to describe physical pain if the pain is so severe that it causes significant emotional distress as well.