1
as in agony
a state of great suffering of body or mind
the upcoming bar exam is causing us considerable distress the survivors were in extreme distress after having been stranded on the island for a week with no food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
a ship in distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distress
Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
In relationships, this dynamic plays out as toxic positivity — the tendency to dismiss or minimize distress in favor of maintaining an upbeat tone.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Customers can also distress, embroider or hand-paint their items.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
Moral injury, or the deep distress that can emerge when someone’s values have been violated, can lead to anxiety, depression and even suicidal behavior.
—Caroline Hopkins Legaspi, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
In relationships, this dynamic plays out as toxic positivity — the tendency to dismiss or minimize distress in favor of maintaining an upbeat tone.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025
Verb
Understandably distressed by the theft, SHERELLE protected herself by avoidance, and kept music listening to a minimum.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Customers can also distress, embroider or hand-paint their items.
—Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
-
His experiences at Fuchu Prison left him with frostbite, screaming in agony, after being exposed to sub-zero temperatures during 20 days in solitary confinement.—
Daniel Taylor,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
-
What began as a blissful afternoon in the Florida sun ended in agony when a Jeep Wrangler suddenly barreled over a man lying on the beach, police said.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The country could be at risk of losing its elimination status if an outbreak continued for more than one year.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Key challenges, like the risk of exacerbating inequality if access is limited to the rich and the significant energy demands, will need to be addressed.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Still, researchers are clear to reassure people there is no need to be alarmed about the continent hollowing out or there being any sudden landscape changes anytime soon.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
19 Apr. 2025
-
While bombarded by public service announcements encouraging me to save the whales, feed starving African children, and conserve freshwater, none alarmed me quite as much as those that advertised the hole in the ozone layer.—
Lauren Stienstra,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But Season 2, by leaning so far into its characters’ anguish, has become more circular and suffocating in its storytelling.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Coogler attempts to out-scare Jordan Peele’s Get Out, using horror tropes to match the anguish expressed by the blues.—
Armond White,
National Review,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Emery introduced two attackers, Watkins and Malen, in the 66th minute, yet there was little danger that Rogers would be one of those to make way.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The Arkansas Forestry Division listed wildfire danger in Benton County, and all other counties in the state, as low as of 8:40 a.m. Monday.—
NWA Democrat-Gazette,
Arkansas Online,
14 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
The incident report was issued Monday at 3:57 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:01 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot,
Kansas City Star,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The April 7 issue of Chemical and Engineering News has a major story that should concern us all.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In a lengthy interview with The Daily Mail, Moran's friend, Terry Stone, told the outlet that Moran's girlfriend was the one to encourage him to seek medical help after the actor was experiencing neck pain.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2025
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Idaho police department faces scrutiny: Officers shoot disabled teen 9 times Mayor says shooting brought pain to community The officers involved were placed on administrative leave.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
So why is the proposal to locate a shelter here in such jeopardy — to the point where Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has said the project is dead?—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Apr. 2025
-
These rangers are dedicated to their work of connecting New York City kids with nature and learning opportunities, but job instability puts the entire ranger team and their programming in constant jeopardy.—
Adam Ganser,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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