Spanish word

angustiar

Pronunciation

IPA/aŋgusˈtjaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbunsettle

Example

La noticia me angustió.

The news unsettled me.

Illustration for angustiar (unsettle)

More examples

A muchos padres les angustia la salud de sus hijos.

Their children's health unsettles many parents.

Core concept

A person trapped in a narrow, dark tunnel of worry.

Common phrases

  • me angustia que...

    it unsettles me that...

  • angustiar a los padres

    unsettle parents

Similar words

preocupar: Generates persistent worry about upcoming events, occupying the mind with concern.
agobiar: Imposes heavy strain or fatigue that overwhelms the person and constricts breathing.
afligir: Triggers sorrowful pain that lodges in the chest and brings deep emotional grief.
inquietar: Leaves a jittery, unsettled state that disrupts calm and fosters restlessness.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que alguien se sienta angustiado, es decir, causarle ansiedad o aflicción profunda.

Word origin

From Latin angustus 'narrow', via Spanish angustia 'anguish', with angustiar formed to mean causing a constricting, anxiety-like distress.

Usage tips

  • Emotion statements often use me angustia que + subjunctive when a subordinate clause explains the cause of distress.

Other meanings

  • troubleverb
  • distressverb

Opposites

Related words

  • angustadodistressedadjective
  • angustiosoanxiousadjective

Word lists with this word