distressed

adjective

dis·​tressed di-ˈstrest How to pronounce distressed (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
During the Biden administration, officials tried to steer distressed borrowers toward solutions like affordable repayment plans or loan forgiveness opportunities (for example, Public Service Loan Forgiveness or disability discharges) to prevent default. Shahar Ziv, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 This distressed imagery provides an apt aesthetic counterpart to storytelling in which each scene is presented as a subjective memory, with some details blurred and others pin-sharp. Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 May 2025 What happens when students of color from lower-income families and distressed neighborhoods arrive at an elite university? Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 6 May 2025 The distressed leather, with sharp tailoring around the shoulders and waist, married beautifully with the soft, ethereal draping of the skirt, showcasing seamless precision and fluidity. Karissa Mitchell, Essence, 6 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for distressed

Word History

First Known Use

1613, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distressed was in 1613

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Cite this Entry

“Distressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distressed. Accessed 28 May. 2025.

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