in distress
idiom
1
: very upset
He was clearly in distress upon hearing the news.
2
: in a very difficult situation in which one does not have enough money, food, etc.
She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress.
3
of a boat, airplane, etc.
: in a state of danger or desperate need
The ship was in distress.
Examples of in distress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Perhaps the boldest scene takes place in a train carriage, where Isla comes to the aid of an infected in distress, inadvertently alerting the Alpha to their presence.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
The Caldwell Police Department previously said a man in distress died while being restrained by police and fire personnel who were responding to a call about a medical emergency at an apartment building near downtown Caldwell.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2025
Zambrano said Sanabria Tarazona is in distress, warning that his detention in the U.S. re-victimizes him.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
Antwon Wilson, 33, went into the ocean after two of his children were in distress.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in distress
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025
The Caldwell Police Department previously said a man in distress died while being restrained by police and fire personnel who were responding to a call about a medical emergency at an apartment building near downtown Caldwell.
—Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 18 June 2025
Zambrano said Sanabria Tarazona is in distress, warning that his detention in the U.S. re-victimizes him.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 17 June 2025
Antwon Wilson, 33, went into the ocean after two of his children were in distress.
—Charna Flam, People.com, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for in distress
Cite this Entry
“In distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20distress. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
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