1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
distressing signs that another war might be imminent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressing death of our favorite actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressing habit of constantly fiddling with her hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distressing
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Loloi x Magnolia Home Sinclair Collection Area Rug Perfect for tying the entire room together, this area rug has antique motifs, subtle distressing details, and neutral shades of taupe that go with all kinds of hues.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The fact that calls here are so unbearably real adds an extra gut punch to an already distressing scenario.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Look for options with less hardware, no distressing, and a straightforward shape.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Content some readers may find distressing or offensive.
—Cecil Merkerson Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The emotional release should, characteristically, aid recovery after stressful or distressing experiences.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The stock market continues to be extraordinary in the face of distressing headlines, but the growing concentration risk has more investors on edge.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Men may feel threatened in their own success –– which is particularly distressing if they have been raised to see work as their top measure of worth –– and women may feel conflict about the division of household labor, McCoy said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Loloi x Magnolia Home Sinclair Collection Area Rug Perfect for tying the entire room together, this area rug has antique motifs, subtle distressing details, and neutral shades of taupe that go with all kinds of hues.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The fact that calls here are so unbearably real adds an extra gut punch to an already distressing scenario.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Look for options with less hardware, no distressing, and a straightforward shape.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Content some readers may find distressing or offensive.
—Cecil Merkerson Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The emotional release should, characteristically, aid recovery after stressful or distressing experiences.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The stock market continues to be extraordinary in the face of distressing headlines, but the growing concentration risk has more investors on edge.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
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Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to reduce your chances of being confronted with violent or disturbing videos.—
Annie Margaret,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Celebrating the assassination of a 31 year old father of two young kids is disturbing; that teachers would be among those who do so is completely unacceptable.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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And these are -- these are very tragic circumstances that impact all of us.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Sep. 2025
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Before Experience Hendrix After Hendrix’s tragic death, production of the guitarist’s music was in the hands of his allegedly exploitative manager, Michael Jeffery who died in a mysterious 1973 plane crash.—
Mike Alleyne Ph.D,
Forbes.com,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Handing spending power to a piece of software makes people uneasy.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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An uneasy calm, after two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people pour out into the streets to vent their fury, setting fire to parliament and the Supreme Court – key symbols of state – and clashing with the government forces sent to keep them under control.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
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The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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This may be subtle but often unsettling in nature.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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For a story that could be this dark, what a gift to be able to recount some of these things, but with a tone that doesn’t need to be wildly investigative and uncomfortable and unsettling.—
Lynette Rice,
Deadline,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Therefore, there are some unfortunate parallels between young Gen Z needing to sacrifice wages due to wavering job opportunities and millennials graduating into the Great Recession.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
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In today's volatile business climate, layoffs have become an unfortunate reality across industries.—
Caroline Castrillon,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Research in attachment theory tells us that people with anxious attachment tendencies often monitor signs of availability and care in their partners.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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While all of his children enjoy supporting him at his fights, María is the one who gets the most anxious, according to Canelo.—
Nasha Smith,
PEOPLE,
13 Sep. 2025
Verb
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With Jorgen Strand Larsen, who scored vital goals last season, suffering from an injury and a distracting transfer saga amid interest from Newcastle, Pereira has had to work with three crucial players through the spine of his team either missing or below par.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Here, the challenge was capturing speed, altitude, and precision in a way that feels immediate without distracting from the story.—
Tony Bradley,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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