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
Gocaj’s distraught relatives told WABC Eyewitness News that the Westchester resident had two children and two grandchildren.
—
New York Daily News, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Louis Shapiro, that man’s attorney, said his client was distraught and still processing the tragedy.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The actor and hair stylist, who met Weinstein in her twenties while trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood, spent five days on the stand, frequently becoming distraught while divulging deeply personal details about her life and four-year relationship with Weinstein.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
At first, Liza Ginette was distraught and confused at her children’s silence.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
New York Daily News, Boston Herald, 20 May 2026
Louis Shapiro, that man’s attorney, said his client was distraught and still processing the tragedy.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2026
The actor and hair stylist, who met Weinstein in her twenties while trying to make it as an actor in Hollywood, spent five days on the stand, frequently becoming distraught while divulging deeply personal details about her life and four-year relationship with Weinstein.
—Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 13 May 2026
At first, Liza Ginette was distraught and confused at her children’s silence.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 10 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
-
If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
-
Trump loudly agitated for her release.—
Mark Barabak,
Mercury News,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Kyoto, Japan — Nancy Higginbotham wasn’t worried when her 20-year-old son got on a train by himself during their family vacation in Japan.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
-
Farmers are now worried the beef industry could be on the fritz for a while.—
Justin Klawans,
TheWeek,
4 June 2026
Adjective
-
The entries never become frightened.—
Kate Casey,
Vanity Fair,
2 June 2026
-
Fireworks set off without authorization in Rome reportedly triggered a mass stampede of frightened horses during a late-night rehearsal for Italy’s annual Republic Day parade, injuring multiple riders and animals.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
The mother of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro — who claimed her son had been kidnapped, kicking off a frantic search in the Inland Empire — now faces a lengthy prison sentence after admitting to charges related to her role in the infant’s disappearance and death.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
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While unfortunate, the frantic opening minutes of the second half highlighted a continuing issue for Miller.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Essentially, for all of the offense’s success during a surprising 2025 season, defenses still weren’t scared of the Patriots.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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The exchanges, which take place at the children’s school in Southern California, leave her scared and depressed for days.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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In the mid-2000s, people across America watched a man in a trench coat hand a chat-log transcript to a terrified suspect holding a six-pack of Mike’s Hard Lemonade.—
Toni Fitzgerald,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
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Three men in Hawaii were killed within 48 hours, leaving devastated families in mourning and a terrified community on edge as police hunt for the suspect.—
Amanda Musa,
CNN Money,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
Brueggmann was more than good Friday, lifting the Warriors to a 2-1 upset victory over Marist in a Class 4A state semifinal game at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex in Peoria.—
Tony Baranek,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
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According to the standings, this wasn’t much of an upset.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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