as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace
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Recent Examples of straits
Desperate for more space, the city negotiated an initial $40 million deal with the Row, still in financial straits from the pandemic.
—
Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Recognizing the dire straits, the California Fish and Game Commission in April voted to uplist desert tortoises from threatened to endangered.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Both straits are situated near Taiwan.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Because the Montreux Convention enforced by Ankara prevents Russian warships passing through the Turkish straits, Moscow is likely to redeploy the vessels to its bases in northwestern Russia and Kaliningrad, which borders the Baltic Sea, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Jets fans may be used to such dire straits as the NFL regular season enters its final full month, the implosion of both New York franchises makes for one of the league’s most cringeworthy storylines this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Much of the money in this agreement will likely be structured as debt too—and will add to a global debt crisis that the International Monetary Fund estimates has 35 countries in dire financial straits this year.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2024
Back then, the Cuban American community in Miami took Elian's case as a cause to beat Fidel Castro and as a way to communicate to the world why so many Cubans left the island, even at the risk of dying in the Florida straits.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024
Instead, local governments, many already in difficult financial straits, have spent to keep what are rapidly becoming zombi firms afloat.
—Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Recognizing the dire straits, the California Fish and Game Commission in April voted to uplist desert tortoises from threatened to endangered.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Both straits are situated near Taiwan.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Because the Montreux Convention enforced by Ankara prevents Russian warships passing through the Turkish straits, Moscow is likely to redeploy the vessels to its bases in northwestern Russia and Kaliningrad, which borders the Baltic Sea, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Jets fans may be used to such dire straits as the NFL regular season enters its final full month, the implosion of both New York franchises makes for one of the league’s most cringeworthy storylines this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Much of the money in this agreement will likely be structured as debt too—and will add to a global debt crisis that the International Monetary Fund estimates has 35 countries in dire financial straits this year.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2024
Back then, the Cuban American community in Miami took Elian's case as a cause to beat Fidel Castro and as a way to communicate to the world why so many Cubans left the island, even at the risk of dying in the Florida straits.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024
Instead, local governments, many already in difficult financial straits, have spent to keep what are rapidly becoming zombi firms afloat.
—Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straits
Noun
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Kahle said that includes providing resources to participants for whom sharing experiences of intimate partner violence may cause trauma or mental health distress.—
Rae Ellen Bichell and Rachana Pradhan,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Climate anxiety — emotional distress linked to the climate crisis — is already widespread.—
Brooke Kasl-Godley,
Mercury News,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In the episode, Duran describes his mental anguish during that time and some of the steps he’s taken since then to improve his mental health.—
Jen McCaffrey,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2025
-
And all of that anguish of going through that process of retrying to develop my body in a way that will never be the same anyway.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straits. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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