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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distraught
The story starts to unfold more briskly once Nolan gets Tully to agree to exchange Elsbeth for the increasingly and very loudly distraught store staffer in costume as Raggedy Ann.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The 6-3, 6-0 loss in singles left her distraught.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The employees who lost their jobs are distraught, according to the source familiar with the RIF.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Eva’s decision to die left Druse distraught.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
The 6-3, 6-0 loss in singles left her distraught.
—Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Oct. 2025
The employees who lost their jobs are distraught, according to the source familiar with the RIF.
—Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Eva’s decision to die left Druse distraught.
—Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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In this effective, no-nonsense chiller, a couple – one with an escalating form of parasomnia (a sleep disturbance that leads to fugue-like sleep walking) – seek and don’t get some R&R together and wind up arguing more and getting more agitated as freaky things start to happen.—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
24 Oct. 2025
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Thomas appeared agitated that he was not allowed to resume playing.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Tang thought about his other friends who are worried about their aging parents.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The Japanese had cyclotrons but no nuclear lobby driven by frightened, concerned, or ambitious scientists.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
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Her parents were opposed to the Russian occupation but too frightened to talk about it.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Alongside Idris as the president, the lead ensemble cast of increasingly frantic White House officials, security advisors and senior military figures includes the likes of Rebecca Ferguson, Greta Lee, Gabriel Basso, Jared Harris, Jason Clarke and Tracy Letts.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
24 Oct. 2025
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The Broncos have had to open their season on the opposite side of the country the past two years — a frantic 56-45 win at Georgia Southern last year and a 34-7 loss to South Florida in August.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Not every traveler wants to feel terrified on vacation, so this round-up of eight spooky places around the globe ranges from the perfectly harmless to the downright creepy.—
Sophie Friedman,
AFAR Media,
22 Oct. 2025
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Instead of bounding in with excitement, the golden retriever looks terrified.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Continue reading … 'DISGUSTING' – Jen Psaki jokes Usha Vance scared of her husband, ripped for 'disgusting' comments.—
,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
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The opening sequence — involving a scared little boy whose fear only accelerates during a nightmarish car ride — is a decent bellwether for the first five episodes (which is all that were screened for critics, of the eight total).—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Even after the misunderstanding, Herrera didn't appear to be upset.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
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Kim was upset, especially when the hamster unexpectedly died shortly after.—
Sydni Ellis,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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