pang
Plural
pangs
1
an unexpected and brief experience of a particular feeling, often a negative one
- She felt a pang of hunger in the late afternoon.
- She felt a pang of regret when she realized she had missed her friend's birthday.
- When she saw her old love's wedding announcement, a pang of jealousy pierced her heart.
- The aroma of freshly baked cookies brought a pang of hunger to her stomach.
2
a brief, intense physical pain or discomfort
- The spicy food caused a pang of heartburn for a moment.
- The athlete experienced a pang of pain in the injured muscle during the competition.
- The boxer winced with every pang of pain from the rib injury during the match.
- A sudden pang shot through her ankle as she twisted it on the uneven pavement.
3
a mental pain or distress
Synonyms: