distraught

adjective

dis·​traught di-ˈstrȯt 

1

: agitated with doubt or mental conflict or pain

distraught mourners

2

: exhibiting a severely disordered state of mind : not mentally sound

as if thou wert distraught and mad with terror

—William Shakespeare

distraughtly adverb

Synonyms

• agitated
• delirious
• distracted
• distrait
• frantic
• frenzied
• hysterical
• hysteric

Examples of distraught in a Sentence

Of particular concern are phony contractors, who knock on the doors of distraught homeowners and offer to repair damaged roofs or remove fallen trees. —Natalie Rodriguez, This Old House, March 2006

The night before the story broke, West sat down for a two-hour interview with the Spokane-Review and left so distraught that its editor, Steven Smith, asked the police chief to check on him. —Unmesh Kher, Time, 23 May 2005

Captured by news photographers under the direction of his manager Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's turn in the barber's chair was a public ceremony: a symbolic shearing, not only of Elvis—who would return from the service a meek semblance of himself, a mama's boy without a mama (his distraught mother, Gladys, died while he was stationed at Fort Hood, soon to depart for Germany)—but of rock 'n' roll itself. —James Wolcott, Vanity Fair, November 2000

Distraught relatives are waiting for news of the missing children.

She was distraught over the death of her partner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The boys left the restroom, distraught, around 10:33 p.m. Investigators found in the stall a Clinique brand makeup container storing more than a gram of fentanyl, the Justice Department said. —James Hartley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Mar. 2024

Cher's Son Elijah Blue Allman Has Divorce Dismissal Request Granted by Judge During the January hearing, the superstar seemed distraught while her attorneys spoke about her concern for Allman's health and safety. —Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, modification of Latin distractus — see distract entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

distraught

adjective

dis·​traught dis-ˈtrȯt 

1

: disturbed with doubt or painful feelings

2

: insane sense 1

distraughtly adverb