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
The distraught, vengeful Rob calls up Amir, and the two head into the city on a journey that takes them to posh restaurants and underground fight clubs in their efforts to locate Apple.
—
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Known for loving animals, especially his dog Roscoe, Hamilton felt distraught when speaking to the media following the grand prix.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Many athletes were visibly distraught, weeping and barely able to keep it together.
—Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
In it, when a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a train goes horribly wrong, Jack Reacher (Ritchson) is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 28 May 2025
Known for loving animals, especially his dog Roscoe, Hamilton felt distraught when speaking to the media following the grand prix.
—Nelson Espinal, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 June 2025
Many athletes were visibly distraught, weeping and barely able to keep it together.
—Calum Marsh, Rolling Stone, 14 June 2025
In it, when a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a train goes horribly wrong, Jack Reacher (Ritchson) is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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When officers arrived, Jones allegedly became more agitated and combative.—
Robert A. Cronkleton,
Kansas City Star,
24 June 2025
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Diana, the most glamorous and beautiful, married the Guinness brewery heir, had three children and then in a notorious scandal left her husband for Oswald Mosley, a notorious womanizer and fascist leader whose Black Shirts violently agitated for Nazi Germany as Britain prepared for war.—
Stephen Schaefer,
Boston Herald,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Instead, federal authorities are hiding, apparently too frightened of online provocateurs and in-person hecklers to do their duty in plain sight.—
Anita Chabria,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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Others who live close to the jail were downright frightened.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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And when Paul manages to elude his overseers and explore the surrounding area — spurring a frantic search, the menacing tenor of which raises Lise’s hackles — the movie effectively becomes a prison drama, with the trio’s eventual interviewee depicted as a shadowy warden who can decide their fate.—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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When Nemo strays away from his reef and gets lost in the big open ocean, his frantic father teams up with the ever-forgetful Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) to find him.—
Meg Walters,
EW.com,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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Remember, this animal is likely scared too. Do not move toward the shark.—
Jaclyn Cosgrove,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2025
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The story itself is stripped to bone and sinew: a sleepy New England beach town that wants tourist dollars more than truth, an invisible killer in plain water, and three men — one scared sheriff, one cocky scientist, one Ahab of a fisherman — set adrift to settle nature’s score.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
Adjective
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The heated encounter occurred outside a building, as Hannah-Kim appeared visibly upset about the situation and wanted an explanation for Kove’s actions.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
26 June 2025
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Marte, who hit a solo home run in the first inning of Arizona's 4-1 win, was seen visibly upset during a pitching change in the bottom of the seventh as Lovullo put his arm around his player and consoled him.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
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