distressed

adjective

dis·​tressed di-ˈstrest 

: of, relating to, or experiencing economic decline or difficulty

federal grants for distressed cities

Examples of distressed in a Sentence

She felt emotionally and physically distressed.

The government provided funds to the economically distressed city.

Donations were given to financially distressed families.

Recent Examples on the Web

The property—located in Tivoli, just east of Woodstock along the Hudson River—is remarkably, distinctly Jenni Kayne: A pebbled walkway leads to a modern ranch-style home made from distressed black wood, with a series of windows lining each side. —Julia Harrison, Architectural Digest, 1 May 2025

However, the lure, history and emotion of the English game is continually attracting investors to capture these distressed clubs, restructure and revive them, with the aim of replicating the success of Bournemouth, going from administration to Premier League in six years. —Matt Slater, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

In all, five cops and detectives over the next few hours heard Gutierrez’s account and witnessed her distressed demeanor, the letter states. —Graham Rayman, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2025

With a Strapless Top and Bermuda Shorts Make the weekends a more comfortable affair without sacrificing style with The Row’s distressed sneakers. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 29 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for distressed

• acquiesced
• coalesced
• dispossessed
• manifest
• overdressed
• overstressed
• prepossessed
• reassessed
• reinvest
• repossessed
• unaddressed
• uncompressed