tragic -
Something very sad often involving suffering.
The story of how Oedipus mistakenly killed his father and married his mother is a tragic story.
audio
2 of20 Bad /
Pain
verb
wince -
Give a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of or in anticipation of pain or distress
Tiger winced as he realized he had hit the ball too far beyond the hole.
audio
3 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
Picture
angst -
A feeling of deep anxiety or dread, typically an unfocused one about the human condition or the state of the world in general
Edvard Munch's famous painting, "The Scream," is often viewed as an expression of angst in an uncertain world.
audio
4 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
Picture
agony -
Extreme physical or mental suffering
Max was in physical agony as he rode his bicycle up the long mountain trail, but spiritually and emotionally he was in heaven.
audio
5 of20 Bad /
Pain
verb
flinch -
Make a quick, nervous movement of the face or body as an instinctive reaction to surprise, fear or pain
Debbie was very brave and didn’t flinch when the nurse put the needle in her arm to give her the flu shot.
audio
6 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
pang -
A sudden sharp pain or painful emotion
The year was 1900, and Dmitri felt a pang of nostalgia and regret as he boarded the boat for America, knowing that he would probably never see his 'old world' again.
audio
7 of20 Bad /
Pain
nounverb noun
torment -
Severe physical or mental suffering
Sufferers of depression must deal with the torment of their own thoughts on a regular basis.
audio
8 of20 Bad /
Pain
nounverb noun
Picture
Burden -
something you carry or withstand with much difficulty.
Financial debt can be a huge burden on families.
audio
9 of20 Bad /
Pain
adjective
excruciating -
Intensely painful
Becky had to see the dentist because her toothache was causing her excruciating pain.
audio
10 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
throes -
Intense or violent pain and struggle, especially accompanying birth, death, or great change
Samantha experienced agonizing pain during the throes of childbirth.
audio
11 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
ordeal -
A painful or horrific experience, especially a protracted one
Knowing it was a fight to the death, the gladiator realized that this was an ordeal he would have to overcome if he wanted to survive.
audio
12 of20 Bad /
Pain
noun
cramps -
A painful, involuntary contraction of muscles
When Sharon got cramps in her stomach after eating the fish, she suspected that it may have been spoiled.
