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

Without data on water withdrawals and exposure to stressed regions, investors cannot assess risk. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025

Battery Placement: The 116 kWh battery pack is integrated into the vehicle’s frame, acting as a stressed member. —Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2025

And a few weeks ago the company announced a program to shift data center demand to times when the electricity grid is less stressed. —Justin Worland, Time, 22 Aug. 2025

Picture this: Your colleague, Sarah, mentions she’s stressed about her mother’s health diagnosis. —Brendan Keegan, Rolling Stone, 20 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