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
In February, Lake Norman issued a proclamation honoring Biffle as a 2025 NASCAR Hall of Fame nominee and a 20-year helicopter pilot who delivered critical supplies to families in distress after Hurricane Helene.
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Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Internet gossips are increasingly spreading unfounded rumors that the couple is in distress.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress.
—Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Surveillance footage showed Heinz leaving the bar alone and not appearing to be in distress, according to authorities.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in distress
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Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025
Internet gossips are increasingly spreading unfounded rumors that the couple is in distress.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
Christ pulls him out of a tiny hole, like a gallant medieval knight rescuing a maiden in distress.
—Mary Dzon, The Conversation, 12 Dec. 2025
Surveillance footage showed Heinz leaving the bar alone and not appearing to be in distress, according to authorities.
—Drake Bentley, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 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 23 Dec. 2025.
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