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
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Someone could be charged or sued for breaking into a car, Knicely said, even if the dog is in distress.
—
Eva Flowe
june 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
Her complexion ashen, the 40-year-old Mann appeared drained and distressed on her fifth consecutive day on the stand and second day of being cross-examined by Teny Geragos.
—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
Despite America’s wealth and relative stability, numerous metrics suggest a country in distress, lagging behind other affluent nations in everything from life expectancy to results on surveys of global happiness and well-being.
—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
22 June 2026
Someone could be charged or sued for breaking into a car, Knicely said, even if the dog is in distress.
—
Eva Flowe
june 22,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
Verb
About 6 million Americans had opioid use disorder — a problematic pattern of opioid use that significantly impairs or distresses a patient — as of 2022, according to the CDC.
—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
6 May 2026
Her complexion ashen, the 40-year-old Mann appeared drained and distressed on her fifth consecutive day on the stand and second day of being cross-examined by Teny Geragos.
—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
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The agony of Sudan runs deep; its history is crisscrossed with blood.
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Or at least movies about soccer can, engaging with themes of race and gender, ego, hubris, economics, politics, fandom, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat — as well as, of course, unadulterated athleticism.
Noun
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In addition to the fear of deportation, the ruling puts thousands of immigrants at risk of losing their work authorization and their jobs, according to a Haitian-American journalist.
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It is known to cause neurological problems, convulsions and comas, with children particularly at risk.
Verb
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The bill’s impact on the massive pension system alarmed CalPERS’ staff, who estimated that premiums would increase by over $28 a month per member in the first year of the bill.
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So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
Noun
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Their mother cried out in anguish.
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Meanwhile, hundreds remained missing, leading to a wave of anguish among relatives and friends.
Noun
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King is the team’s setup man and in no danger of a demotion.
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Despite the danger airborne particles pose to human health, many have been released legally into the atmosphere.
Verb
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On Election Day, Schlossberg was campaigning out in the rain despite the concerning polls, hearing stories from passersby about their Kennedy encounters over the years and taking selfies with starstruck supporters.
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One of the increasingly concerning threats is drones, which can be piloted remotely and are difficult to disable.
Noun
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Margera tried to soothe the pain by submerging his fresh brand in a tub of filthy farm water, which resulted in a life-threatening staph infection that landed him in the hospital.
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The pain from high tuition does not stem from extraordinary tuition growth but rather from the lack of a commensurate growth rate in median family income.
Noun
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Federal Aviation Administration rules bar cities from treating airlines unequally, and the council's action put $90 million in federal grant funding in jeopardy, according to one council member.
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An epic rainstorm is battering Chicago, putting deliveries and reservations in jeopardy.
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
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