as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash
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Recent Examples of distraught
There’s even an oddly synthetic-looking photo of a distraught Dylan to prove it!
—
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Family distrusts police investigation after shooting Taddese’s family has been distraught since his death, according to Bernard.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
The mother thanked officers and ran from the apartment, distraught and inconsolable.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Family distrusts police investigation after shooting Taddese’s family has been distraught since his death, according to Bernard.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
The mother thanked officers and ran from the apartment, distraught and inconsolable.
—Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 6 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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The following year, he was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge after becoming agitated when he was told to leave a suburban Las Vegas casino.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
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Remember how agitated Laura got when Daniel scraped his knee mountain biking?—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The man, a legal researcher who lives legally in the United States, is worried he might be targeted by the federal government for speaking freely.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
-
As the day progressed though, Marsh became worried again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The frightened campers are supposed to deliver the scares — but that only works as a set-up if the villain is lurking behind the next tree.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
19 Sep. 2025
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Republicans are frightened, too.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Then a frantic 19-point rally in the closing minutes made the final score feel closer than most of the night’s action let on.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Getting these fragrance gifts early comes with the benefits of beating the frantic shopping rush and winning at Christmas.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kim Kardashian was left terrified after learning someone put out a hit on her life.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Alolkoy, said despite the bear's small size and obviously scared state, the store quickly erupted in a chaotic scene.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Are players scared to talk about it publicly?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Dart wasn’t the only Giants rookie to have a substantial impact in the upset victory.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Nudge your kids to make decisions for themselves, even when other people are upset.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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