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
But the movie ends when Cathy dies, distraught and brokenhearted over Heathcliff and having starved herself during her pregnancy.
—
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
According to Perardi’s court testimony, Youngblood’s wife stood in the doorway with a gun, thin, distraught.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Three days later, her distraught children pleaded for the 84-year-old’s safe return, confirming that law enforcement believe Nancy was abducted against her will and could be alive.
—Dan Reilly, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026
In the 1990 Christmas classic Home Alone, O’Hara plays a distraught mother who accidentally leaves her child behind while going on Christmas vacation.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
According to Perardi’s court testimony, Youngblood’s wife stood in the doorway with a gun, thin, distraught.
—Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 11 Feb. 2026
Three days later, her distraught children pleaded for the 84-year-old’s safe return, confirming that law enforcement believe Nancy was abducted against her will and could be alive.
—Dan Reilly, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2026
In the 1990 Christmas classic Home Alone, O’Hara plays a distraught mother who accidentally leaves her child behind while going on Christmas vacation.
—Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
-
In 2024, Ryan Gainer’s family called 911 for support when the 15-year-old became agitated.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
After a stint in jail and rehab, Marcee Gray lived with Colin and their three children in July and August 2024 and noticed their oldest, Colt Gray, then 14, was riddled with anxiety, easily agitated and had a panic attack.—
Eric Levenson,
CNN Money,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
While the consequences of skipping routine medical care may not always be immediate, Muthyala said providers are worried about the downstream impact all of this will have on the health of the community.—
Lauren Mascarenhas,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Some were worried about not competing for championships because of being out of the WPIAL.—
Chilekasi Adele,
CBS News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Tharia’s Jane, meanwhile, is both vulnerable and volatile, sometimes letting slip a mass of frightened, warring impulses behind her still, steady gaze.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2026
-
While protesters may be frightened and grieving after last month's bloodbath, they're not mollified.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Soon, though, the wall came alive—a colony of rustling and chirping, a frantic rodent argument.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Contact and frantic transitions With so little margin for error, much focus is on the transition sections where athletes switch out their equipment.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Seniors are scared for their Social Security and Medicare.—
Todd Feurer,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Even so, what a jolt to finally see Duvall’s pale, blond Boo hiding behind a door as though (justly) scared of the spotlight.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Mrie’s angry and terrified family shunned her.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Shane was both terrified and undeniably aroused by the idea.—
E. Alex Jung,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Fedor Zugic scored nine points on a trio of first-half 3-pointers to lead Creighton (14-14, 8-9), unable to build off a big upset Wednesday at UConn.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 Feb. 2026
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Residents in Queens are getting upset over the explanation from the city for a massive puddle that just won't go away.—
Andrew Ramos,
CBS News,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
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