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

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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 Laertes becomes deeply distraught over his son’s two-decade absence, a grief that had already claimed his wife, Odysseus’ mother, Anticlea. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026 Carney's grieving sister, Devon, wearing a Kerry GAA jersey and clutching a sunflower, was distraught as family members gathered around the hearse. — Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 15 July 2026 Claudia Morton, who lives near Durán Guerrero and his family and often waved to him, was distraught over the shooting. — Arkansas Online, 14 July 2026 On December 2, 1717, a distraught George Augustus and Caroline packed up their household and said goodbye to their children. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraught

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught

Adjective

And if the person seems agitated or unpredictable, skip the direct request altogether.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 17 Aug. 2026
For the agitated activist—Mike Davis’ Late Victorian Holocausts with Equator.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of agitated

Adjective

Why people don’t like it Some residents are worried about how these sprawling energy farms will affect local soil, especially near farmland.

— AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
The drop in tech talent in the Bay Area comes as workers grow more worried that AI could lead to fewer jobs.

— Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026
Parents at evacuation centers in the village said many children were afraid to return indoors and woke up frightened whenever aftershocks rattled the island.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of frightened

Adjective

Another player, Sophie Cunningham, recently fueled a frantic debate about trans athletes in women’s sports.

— Chris Branch, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
In the days immediately after the holiday, a frantic search for Nolan ensued, with authorities, friends and family deploying resources to find the missing teen.

— Alisha Ebrahimji, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of frantic

Adjective

Punk exploded in front of a handful of scared-to-death dirtsheet reporters who were out of their league, mimicking a helpless Tony Khan.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
She gets caught up in a custody battle over her son, Albee, who is autistic and obsessed with the ocean but scared of swimming.

— Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

There, a terrified teenage girl would be filmed fleeing before she was consumed by a blinding flash of light and then found dead, bearing unexplained marks on her body.

— Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
During the attack, terrified students huddled together under their desks, sobbing as gunshots rang out nearby, video filmed inside a classroom and verified by CNN showed.

— Helen Regan, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of terrified

Adjective

Pasadena residents are upset after a bloodied peacock was found in their neighborhood last week after what appeared to be a violent encounter with a mail carrier.

— Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Improved Digestion Bloating, constipation, acid reflux, upset stomach—all are uncomfortable signs of indigestion after eating.

— Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of upset

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distrait

distraught

distress

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“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of distraught

adjective

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