What Is Another Way to Say “Emotional Pain”?

Looking for synonyms for emotional pain? We’ve got you covered!

Here’s a list of other ways to say emotional pain.

  • Heartache
  • Anguish
  • Sorrow
  • Grief
  • Distress
  • Torment
  • Agony
  • Desolation
  • Melancholy
  • Despair
  • Woe
  • Misery
  • Sadness
  • Trauma
  • Hurt
  • Despondency
  • Disappointment
  • Bereavement
  • Suffering
  • Dolor

Want to learn how to say emotional pain professionally? Keep reading for examples and use cases.

1. Heartache

Heartache is used to describe a deep emotional pain or sorrow, often stemming from love or romantic disappointments.

  • Example: “The heartache she felt after the breakup was overwhelming.”

2. Anguish

Anguish refers to severe mental or emotional suffering, often accompanied by physical pain.

  • Example: “The news of the tragic accident caused her great anguish.”

3. Sorrow

Sorrow is a feeling of deep sadness or regret, typically for a specific cause.

  • Example: “His resignation was met with sorrow by his colleagues.”

4. Grief

Grief is the intense sorrow, especially caused by someone’s death.

  • Example: “She is still coping with the grief of losing her mother.”

5. Distress

Distress signifies extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

  • Example: “The distressing news of the financial loss shook the entire company.”

6. Torment

Torment is severe physical or mental suffering.

  • Example: “The constant pressure to perform well was a source of torment for him.”

7. Agony

Agony is used to express extreme physical or mental suffering.

  • Example: “She watched in agony as the stock market crashed.”

8. Desolation

Desolation describes a state of bleak and dismal emptiness or loneliness.

  • Example: “After the layoffs, a sense of desolation filled the office.”

9. Melancholy

Melancholy denotes a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.

  • Example: “The melancholy mood in the meeting was palpable after the disappointing results.”

10. Despair

Despair is the complete loss or absence of hope.

  • Example: “In the face of repeated failures, he fell into despair.”

11. Woe

Woe is used to express great sorrow or distress.

  • Example: “The company’s bankruptcy brought woe to its employees and investors.”

12. Misery

Misery refers to a state of great distress or discomfort of mind or body.

  • Example: “The misery among the staff was evident following the budget cuts.”

13. Sadness

Sadness is the condition or quality of being sad.

  • Example: “There was a profound sadness in the office after the project’s cancellation.”

14. Trauma

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.

  • Example: “The trauma of the lawsuit affected all levels of the organization.”

15. Hurt

Hurt denotes a feeling of mental pain or offense.

  • Example: “His hurt was evident when he was overlooked for the promotion.”

16. Despondency

Despondency is a state of low spirits caused by loss of hope or courage.

  • Example: “The team’s despondency was visible after losing the crucial contract.”

17. Disappointment

Disappointment is the feeling of sadness or displeasure caused by the non-fulfillment of one’s hopes or expectations.

  • Example: “The disappointment among the staff was clear when the bonus payments were canceled.”

18. Bereavement

Bereavement is the period of mourning after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one.

  • Example: “She took a leave of absence due to the bereavement of her father.”

19. Suffering

Suffering is the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.

  • Example: “The suffering caused by the economic downturn was felt by every employee.”

20. Dolor

Dolor is a literary term for sorrow or grief.

  • Example: “In the boardroom, there was a palpable sense of dolor over the company’s declining fortunes.”

Linda Brown