1
as in agony
a state of great suffering of body or mind
the upcoming bar exam is causing us considerable distress the survivors were in extreme distress after having been stranded on the island for a week with no food
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
a ship in distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distress
Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Walker, Tsui’s mother, and Beaumont’s individual distresses are grounded in Havoc’s structure and action.
—Andy Crump, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Joseph insisted that his flights were involuntary; he was reported to have been greatly distressed by them.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
In the final stage, individuals may refuse food or fluids, become extremely restless, or require deep sedation to manage distress.
—Dr. Sabooh Mubbashar, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2025
Walker, Tsui’s mother, and Beaumont’s individual distresses are grounded in Havoc’s structure and action.
—Andy Crump, Time, 26 Apr. 2025
Verb
Understandably distressed by the theft, SHERELLE protected herself by avoidance, and kept music listening to a minimum.
—Thomas Smith, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
Joseph insisted that his flights were involuntary; he was reported to have been greatly distressed by them.
—Emily Harnett, Harpers Magazine, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
-
Ellie is stricken with agony, her reaction almost feral.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The agony of not knowing was heartbreakingly illustrated by the plight of Oscar Johnson, of St. Charles.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Water risk is fast becoming an existential threat to the apparel industry.—
Ken Katz,
Sourcing Journal,
5 May 2025
-
There also is a bit of a risk as to how MSNBC will fare on its own.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
5 May 2025
Verb
-
People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2025
-
When DeSantis first ran for Governor in 2018, Florida was experiencing headline-grabbing environmental problems ranging from fish-killing red tides and toxic algae blooms to manatee die-offs and invasive species that were alarming residents and giving tourists pause.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In anguish, the woman wept, asking the heavens why mother and daughter were fated to be separated.—
Karissa Chen,
People.com,
26 Apr. 2025
-
Even though little about Kumar’s demeanor suggests the 1920s, there is conviction in his anguish for his country.—
Anupama Chopra,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Two other victims are listed in court documents as being put in substantial danger of death during the shooting.—
Gael Langdon,
Arkansas Online,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Dominick Austin, Dania Beach Due process in grave danger You’re awakened at 3 a.m. by a banging on your front door.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
This episode raises fundamental questions beyond Harvard concerning the Constitution and the meaning of education.—
Larry P. Arnn,
National Review,
3 May 2025
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The concerning future of PFAS regulations Biden’s action set the first national, legally enforceable standard limiting in drinking water five of more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS.—
Kristen Rogers,
CNN Money,
2 May 2025
Noun
-
During raging emotional turmoil in the 1990s, Beth turned to writing to make sense of loss, pain, and a desire to belong.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
This disruption can result in chronic pain and other physical symptoms that persist long after the traumatic event has passed.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
Gomez's detention comes amid an immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, during which people with all kinds of immigration statuses, including those with valid documentation, such as green cards or visas, have been detained and face legal jeopardy.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 May 2025
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The moral, ethical and legal jeopardy of their behavior seemed to be recognized by the bots, the report found.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 13 May. 2025.
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