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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Recent Examples of distraught
The vlogger Jordan Cheyenne, for one, wrecked her sharenting career by accidentally posting footage of herself coaching her son, who was distraught over the family’s sick puppy, to make a specific kind of sad face for YouTube.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Jesse O’Hara, said his clients were distraught and heartbroken over the treatment of their baby.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
His distraught father attempted suicide before leaving for Hong Kong, then a British colony.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The victim’s grieving brother was too distraught to talk to reporters.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Jesse O’Hara, said his clients were distraught and heartbroken over the treatment of their baby.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
His distraught father attempted suicide before leaving for Hong Kong, then a British colony.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Mar. 2026
The victim’s grieving brother was too distraught to talk to reporters.
—Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
-
The contrast between the bookish judge, lauded during his confirmation for his reverence of legal precedents, and the agitated, outspoken figure of recent years was especially noticeable to old friends and supporters.—
Peter S. Canellos,
The Atlantic,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The second time, Bridgman called a My Health My Resources of Tarrant County crisis line after Fraraccio became agitated.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That has industry insiders across the spectrum — from creatives and crew members to the highest of the C-suites — worried about the overall health of the entertainment sector.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
But Mulligan was worried that some of the obscenities felt too American.—
Seija Rankin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Soapy Water Stink bugs tend to drop when frightened, so fill a cup with soapy water and hold it under the stink bug.—
Arricca Elin SanSone,
Southern Living,
10 Apr. 2026
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Their height and heft frightened and thrilled spectators, earning dinosaurs a permanent place in the public imagination, Coules said.—
Scottie Andrew,
CNN Money,
5 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Emergency crews rushed to the Lincoln Village Apartments Wednesday night after a frantic 911 call reported a child had fallen out a window.—
Aaron Parseghian,
CBS News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Mr Cobra opens like a dark, cobwebbed staircase leading into a vast and foreboding space, all frantic flute and piano, creaks, and bone-chilling screeches (not to mention a slutty monologue seemingly communicated via Google Translate).—
Hattie Lindert,
Pitchfork,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Please don’t feel scared, feel proud.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Apr. 2026
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Were the Nuggets running scared from their rivals?—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Though American Pie was all fun and games once the cameras started rolling, Shannon Elizabeth recalls being pretty terrified while trying to land a part in the hit ʼ90s comedy.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Apr. 2026
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Another video, filmed inside the bus and shared on TikTok, captured the terrified screams of students who were riding the bus at the time.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Esther said that Kim was upset about McCormick's bizarre behavior.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
12 Apr. 2026
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The demonstrations have been primarily instigated by farmers, agricultural contractors and road haulage operators, who are upset with the government’s response to the spike in fuel prices since the onset of the Iran war.—
Michael Considine,
CNBC,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 18 Apr. 2026.
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