angoisse

anguish, anxiety

noun ahn-GWASS Less Common

Usage Note

Angoisse denotes a deeper, more physical dread than anxiété — a tightening in the chest, existential dread. The verb angoisser and the adjective angoissant ('distressing') are derived forms frequently used in everyday conversation.

Examples

"L'angoisse l'empêchait de dormir la nuit."

Natural Translation

Anxiety kept him from sleeping at night.

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