distraught

adjective

di-ˈstrȯt How to pronounce distraught (audio)
Definition of distraughtnext
as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 While police continued to investigate John's motive, distraught parents, teachers and others gathered outside the school Saturday to leave flowers, pray and cry. — ABC News, 17 Oct. 2026 In a move that had the audience distraught but should’ve been expected at some point, Guillermo and Witney are sent home Tuesday night. — Katie Campione, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026 The latter seemed distraught over the fact that his first postseason had just ended with a sweep in the ALDS. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 8 Oct. 2026 Sun, who was given a wild card entry by tournament organizers and was making her WTA Tour debut, appeared distraught after the loss. — CBS News, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
  1. agitated
  2. worried
  3. frightened
  4. frantic
  5. scared
  6. terrified
  7. upset
Adjective
  • Caregivers for dementia patients, whether family members at home or employees in an institution, can face daily challenges from residents who may be uncooperative or agitated, but advocates emphasize that caregivers must stay patient and respectful.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Yoko said her daughter simply tried to prevent an agitated resident from biting others by putting her hand around the person’s chin.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Maybe that sounds counterintuitive to folks worried about how the Bears are going to supply their roster with high-end talent in the next couple of years, and there will be a host of needs on defense alone.
    — Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Delawalla adds that many voters may also be worried about public health, particularly given the ongoing measles crisis and the summer’s cyclosporiasis outbreak.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Defense challenges claims of disruption Sabatini sought to undermine the university’s account by distinguishing between students feeling frightened and actual interruptions to academic activities.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Trust is how that knowledge reaches the next child, and the next frightened mother.
    — Michelle A. Williams, Chicago Tribune, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • The music itself is frantic and bombastic, exploding her crush into a throbbing, single-minded fascination.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
  • In the film, a couple’s baby boy is abducted and his frantic mother finds a way to get him back.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of frantic
Adjective
  • Stiven said his wife feels scared and doesn't want to leave their home, but the couple wants to share what happened to her for one reason.
    — Dawn White, CBS News, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Otherwise the public realm will grow safer in exactly the wrong way — because people are too scared to use it.
    — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Follicularly stuck in the 2000s, the vast majority of us are terrified short hair will age us.
    — Molly Mulshine, InStyle, 30 Oct. 2026
  • His novels are absolute master classes in how much to reveal, how much to leave to the reader’s terrified imagination.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • There was no upset this time in the season opener for TCU men’s basketball as the Horned Frogs rolled to a 98-59 win over Lindenwood Monday night at Schollmaier Arena.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Hafley was naturally upset about Ollie Gordon’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that turned into a 3rd and 5 into a 3rd and 20 that the Dolphins didn’t convert during the Patriots’ 21-0 run.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

distrait
distraught
distress
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Cite this Entry

“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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