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 season ends on a cliffhanger, where a distraught Momo grapples with the jealousy of seeing Vamola kiss Okarun, leaving the door open for more romance and rivalry to come.
—
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
There’s even an oddly synthetic-looking photo of a distraught Dylan to prove it!
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Family distrusts police investigation after shooting Taddese’s family has been distraught since his death, according to Bernard.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025
There’s even an oddly synthetic-looking photo of a distraught Dylan to prove it!
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Family distrusts police investigation after shooting Taddese’s family has been distraught since his death, according to Bernard.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
As police secured the area with crime scene tape, distraught family members began arriving at the scene late Sunday night, according to police dispatch audio.
—Doc Louallen, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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Are assassins like Kirk’s killer simply pathological outliers among agitated but otherwise self-restrained populations?—
Ron Barrett,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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According to the complaint, video footage from a nearby convenience store showed Cullen in the shop appearing agitated and holding a handgun.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But farmers are worried that time is quickly running out to reach a deal in time to sell any of this year’s crop to their biggest customer.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
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The worried mom immediately booked a flight from Virginia to Colorado, which was an agonizing trip.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Hundreds of frightened residents gathered in a grassy field near the fire station and refused to return home hours after the quake struck Bogo in Cebu province.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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So stay calm, control your breathing, don’t be frightened.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Then a frantic 19-point rally in the closing minutes made the final score feel closer than most of the night’s action let on.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Getting these fragrance gifts early comes with the benefits of beating the frantic shopping rush and winning at Christmas.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kim Kardashian was left terrified after learning someone put out a hit on her life.—
Lauryn Overhultz,
FOXNews.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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With every temptation, Jesus is lured into a forbidden world, and a terrified Joseph soon realizes that a demonic power is at work.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Alolkoy, said despite the bear's small size and obviously scared state, the store quickly erupted in a chaotic scene.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Are players scared to talk about it publicly?—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Dart wasn’t the only Giants rookie to have a substantial impact in the upset victory.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Nudge your kids to make decisions for themselves, even when other people are upset.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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