Main Entry: ²distress

Function: transitive verb

Date: 14th century

1 : to subject to great strain or difficulties <homes distressed by poverty>
2 archaic : to force or overcome by inflicting pain
3 : to cause to worry or be troubled : upset <don't let the news distress you>
4 : to mar (as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect of age <a distressed table>

— dis·tress·ing·ly \-ˈstre-siŋ-lē\ adverb