in distress

idiom

1
: very upset
He was clearly in distress upon hearing the news.
2
: in a very difficult situation in which one does not have enough money, food, etc.
She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress.
3
of a boat, airplane, etc. : in a state of danger or desperate need
The ship was in distress.

Examples of in distress in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In a new report from The Hollywood Reporter this week, former insiders suggested that Bieber’s finances were in distress. Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025 Comments Ransom Canyon's 10-episode first season ended with several of its romances in distress. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 18 Apr. 2025 The report of a kayaker in distress near Willamette Falls came from a 911 caller shortly before 11 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, the sheriff’s office said. Bay Area News Group, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025 The second time, police responded to a call from a woman in distress who TMZ said was later determined to be Bynes. Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in distress

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Cite this Entry

“In distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20distress. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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