distraught

adjective

di-ˈstrȯt How to pronounce distraught (audio)
Definition of distraughtnext
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

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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 Claudia Morton, who lives near Durán Guerrero and his family and often waved to him, was distraught over the shooting. — Arkansas Online, 14 July 2026 On December 2, 1717, a distraught George Augustus and Caroline packed up their household and said goodbye to their children. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 Multiple people, including the distraught parents of the child and two officers who were at the hospital, had questioned whether the child was breathing after he was declared dead, according to the police report. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 7 July 2026 Plus, Brazilian fans and players were left distraught and searching for answers after an elimination by Norway, whose striker Erling Haaland solidified his superstar status with another brace. — Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
  1. agitated
  2. worried
  3. frightened
  4. frantic
  5. scared
  6. terrified
  7. upset
Adjective
  • Sometimes, Brun appeared agitated or sweaty at council meetings.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Clancy became agitated, but never fully woke up once given the Narcan, which is typically used to treat heroin or fentanyl overdoes, Constanzo noted.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • But Russian ballistic missiles appear to be the threat that has Ukrainian’s leadership most worried.
    — Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As students head back to school across Georgia, some parents are worried about more than academics.
    — Brian Unger, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Use of QACs soared during the Covid-19 pandemic as frightened masses sanitized themselves and nearly everything else in sight.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Families were frightened, communities were looking for guidance, and clinicians were desperate for answers.
    — Ronald Nahass, STAT, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • His grandmother's frantic cleaning ahead of Passover, Hallegua’s favorite season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
  • The heist goes wrong when one sister injures her back and ends up trapped on the second floor, setting off an increasingly frantic bid to get out before the homeowner comes home.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of frantic
Adjective
  • Lastly, to dull the war-mongering vigor of the Rivermen, Ormund installs small, scared little boys, ripped from their homes, all along the chemin de ronde — a baby human shield for Ser Daeron the Daring’s great army.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
  • And feeling so scared and so overwound by the idea that this was going to make or break our career.
    — Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.
    — Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • At a news conference, Twin Falls police released dramatic surveillance video that showed terrified employees diving for cover and shielding one another.
    — Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • The Braves opted against parting with their most valuable prospects at the trade deadline, a decision that’s upset part of the fanbase and many around the organization but will require time to judge.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It’s considered the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

distrait
distraught
distress
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Cite this Entry

“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of distraught for Spanish Speakers

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