stressed

adjective

ˈstrest 

: subjected to or affected by stress

The feeling that one must show up for work even if one is too sick, stressed [=stressed-out], or distracted to be productive.

—Paul McFedries

As important as training is to distance running, the time devoted to repair stressed muscles between races is even more crucial.

—Joseph Hall

That translates into a drought, and stressed trees are highly susceptible to beetle infestations.

—Jim Robbins

… the soundscape inside these vehicles, punctuated by mechanical rattles and the groans of stressed metal …

—Chris Knight

Synonyms

• tired
• exhausted
• nervous
• on the rack

Examples of stressed in a Sentence

He was feeling pretty stressed about the deadline.

you seem really stressed right now, so maybe you should try to do something more relaxing

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, it's infused with centella asiatica to soothe stressed skin, as well as subtle green pigments that help counteract redness in the skin. —Deanna Pai, Vogue, 4 Aug. 2025

Studying up until the last minute will only leave you stressed and anxious. 9. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2025

Almost half of Americans (49%) report frequent bouts of stress, and the number of people in the United States who are feeling stressed has been rising for the past two decades, according to a 2024 Gallup survey. —Faye Chiu, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025

This impacts students’ performance and productivity at school, because overscheduled and highly stressed students are also often exhausted and distracted. —​wendy Wisner, Parents, 1 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stressed

• stressed been
• stressed BIN
• stressed-out

Rhymes for stressed

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed