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
The campus phone line rang with calls from distraught parents.
—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Michael Wright, the Hinton family's lawyer, said in an interview with The Enquirer that Hinton Jr. was very distraught watching body camera footage of the shooting hours before the crash.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
After taking her body out to sea to dispose of it, a distraught Morgan steered his vessel into an approaching hurricane in an apparent suicide attempt.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
But don’t be like those gullible commentators who are distraught over Gunn’s statement.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Emiliano Tahui Gómez, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Michael Wright, the Hinton family's lawyer, said in an interview with The Enquirer that Hinton Jr. was very distraught watching body camera footage of the shooting hours before the crash.
—David Ferrara, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
After taking her body out to sea to dispose of it, a distraught Morgan steered his vessel into an approaching hurricane in an apparent suicide attempt.
—Greg Braxton, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2025
But don’t be like those gullible commentators who are distraught over Gunn’s statement.
—Armond White, National Review, 18 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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For example, strengthening humanity through compassion and empathy helps people show more care towards others rather than being agitated or impatient.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
-
Dylan split out of the blue metal door, walking stiff, agitated, spat out on the heat of the late day.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
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Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But Wall Street doesn't seem as frightened of tariffs anymore.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
29 July 2025
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As of Monday afternoon, Dickson still wasn’t sure whether someone punched through the window, or if her frightened dog, who heard numerous rounds of shots fired throughout the afternoon, tried to break free.—
Sofi Zeman
July 28,
Kansas City Star,
28 July 2025
Adjective
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The frantic search for the 34-year-old woman began in April and ended with the discovery of her remains in a narrow space between two buildings in Lakewood, Colo., a suburb of her home city of Denver, on Friday, June 6.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Alongside the frantic rush for textbooks, new stationery, and the last days of summer freedom, students are now having to get to grips with new artificial intelligence tools.—
Dan Fitzpatrick,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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When a United Airlines flight issued a mayday call shortly after departure, passengers onboard were doubtlessly scared.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
5 Aug. 2025
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Ball also claimed in the new interview that Anne, now 74, was not scared of him.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Umpires must already see pitches accurately, move well and handle upset managers and players.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
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All three have gone after one another while 71-year-old conservative activist and talk show host Curtis Sliwa aims for a major upset for Republicans.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 23 Aug. 2025.
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