as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distraught
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.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Chuck was distraught, ranting on the Council floor about how unfair his premature ouster was.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
After officers spent some time talking with those involved and trying to get the distraught mother to put down her baby, body camera footage shows Maria Pike, 34, grab a large knife and move toward an officer, knife raised.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025
Another headache for the authorities is that a camera phone inside the bank captures her distraught monologue explaining what got her here — which gets broadcast on local TV, drawing a crowd of protestors outside.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Chuck was distraught, ranting on the Council floor about how unfair his premature ouster was.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
After officers spent some time talking with those involved and trying to get the distraught mother to put down her baby, body camera footage shows Maria Pike, 34, grab a large knife and move toward an officer, knife raised.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025
Another headache for the authorities is that a camera phone inside the bank captures her distraught monologue explaining what got her here — which gets broadcast on local TV, drawing a crowd of protestors outside.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
-
Scenes are set in grimy derelict spaces or feature the ominous sound of agitated bat wings.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
The Defense secretary became agitated during the briefing, which was intended to clarify the intelligence the Pentagon had on the three nuclear facilities before and after the weekend operation.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of the biggest shifts since the time of Rose is that far fewer Americans are worried about this potential problem.—
Harry Enten,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
-
Critics of Greene's bill are worried that the legislation could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals, who naturally stand to make more profits from a home sale.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Audience noises at the NRG Stadium in Houston went from frightened gasps to applause as the descent was completed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
29 June 2025
-
Things were hectic in the mall, Stain, 45, said, with lots of frightened people running to the exits.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Keeping them leashed up with a comfortable harness may prevent a sudden chase after wildlife, which could in turn lead to a fall, a frantic search, or a wild animal attack.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside Online,
1 July 2025
-
Back in ‘96 in Vegas, after shots were fired, Knight — bleeding from his scalp — made a frantic U-turn and headed west at a high speed toward Las Vegas Boulevard.—
Danielle Bacher,
People.com,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
An officer said the man was dehydrated, confused and scared when he was rescued, according to WBZ.—
Jillian Frankel,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
All small business owners suffer financially when their employees are taken or too scared to come to work.—
Billal Rahman
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
But at the same time, local affordability concerns and overcrowding have skyrocketed, making the locals quite upset.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
-
With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share