DISTRAUGHT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

distraught

adjective

di-ˈstrȯt

Definition of distraught

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 That gave way to sadness and the responsibility of consoling distraught students. — Usa Today Staff, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Residents would come to her distraught when repair estimates for their cooling systems topped their annual rent. — Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 7 Sep. 2026 The Loyola Blakefield graduate and founder of First Team Staffing, an organization centered around staffing professional and temporary workers, was distraught over his sudden inability to consistently drive off the tee. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 But today’s Court often divides along stark ideological lines, and the liberals often sound truly distraught in their dissents. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraught

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught

Adjective

When the door finally opened, an agitated young man who resembled Ryan Gosling (Rett Keeter) shined an LED flashlight directly into my eyes, a gesture that would become familiar over the next hour.

— Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Altercations between agitated people with dementia and other residents or workers charged with caring for them are disturbingly common in long-term care facilities and private homes.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitated

Adjective

Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

The capital’s numerous skyscrapers amplified the sensation of movement, sending frightened residents into streets and open spaces.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, some of the frightened and wary passengers wondered about them and whether they could be trusted.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Chanel doesn’t take pre-orders, so collection launches are typically frantic, as clients swoop down on previews to secure the best pieces.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
With its silly oversized thumbs and frantic shaking needed to escape pins, this mini-game is one example of how a game like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort could make some older gamers feel self-conscious.

— Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of frantic

Adjective

Many members of the public also described to reporters and on social media feeling intimidated, scared and harassed by heavily armed security guards hired by the film company to keep the public off streets closed for the movie set.

— ABC News, ABC News, 7 Oct. 2026
More than anything, this adaptation feels scared of being too unlikable or scaring anyone too much.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

distrait

distraught

distress

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of distraught

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nexus

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes