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
But the most heartbreaking scenes are of Bonnie, who is distraught and tearful after receiving hurtful messages online.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026
He was followed by a distraught Nicole, whom Perrulli never saw again.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
With the departure of Mohan, fans are understandably distraught at the prospect of having to say goodbye to their fan-favorite Zoomer, too.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Sisto also breaks your heart as this distraught father is looking at the loss of his job, his house, and his daughter.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 18 June 2026
He was followed by a distraught Nicole, whom Perrulli never saw again.
—Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026
With the departure of Mohan, fans are understandably distraught at the prospect of having to say goodbye to their fan-favorite Zoomer, too.
—Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 11 June 2026
Sisto also breaks your heart as this distraught father is looking at the loss of his job, his house, and his daughter.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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According to witnesses interviewed by local police, Hall became agitated after taking a significant quantity of drugs.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
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That was intentional, as a smiling Caballero admitted to enjoying the moment after the warning left him perplexed and agitated.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Many small business owners struggle to provide retirement plans, according to a Senate legislative analyst, and Americans are growing increasingly worried about their financial security in retirement.—
Madeline Luebkert,
CBS News,
18 June 2026
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But, garnering the support from those within the Big Ten and SEC footprint is clearly not an aspect of this process that both Cantwell and Cruz are worried about.—
Trey Wallace,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
Adjective
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Even young raccoons can bite or scratch when frightened, and wild animals can carry parasites and diseases, says Rakestraw.—
Michelle Mastro,
Martha Stewart,
20 June 2026
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When customers are frustrated, frightened, confused or considering leaving, those become high-risk moments.—
Demetri Giannikopoulos,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Here’s a recap of this week’s frantic pace.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
20 June 2026
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McKenna's death gained national attention after her disappearance in the middle of the night set off a frantic search for the teenager.—
Angela George,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
Adjective
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Still, farmworkers across the country are scared to go to work.—
Lisa Meierotto,
The Conversation,
22 June 2026
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In Utah, doctors continue to reassure scared patients and lobby for better public health policy.—
Devi Shastri,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Adjective
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Because the road into Hunt was unpassable, the Childresses were forced into a monstrous kind of purgatory among other terrified parents at Ingram Elementary School.—
Karen Valby,
Vanity Fair,
16 June 2026
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Her 9-year-old daughter was terrified.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Scotland may have lost 0-1 to Morocco in a World Cup match at Boston Stadium on Friday, but the thing the Tartan Army was most upset about?—
Penny Kmitt,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
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Katie Wilson won an upset victory to lead Seattle last fall.—
Matt Brown,
Fortune,
20 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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