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 One distraught woman sat on the ground next to a large pool of blood as another woman embraced her. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 9 Aug. 2026 Some jurors cried while others looked distraught during the testimony. — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026 Leaving the Door Open For More S Pen fans were distraught when Samsung removed support for its beloved stylus from the Z Fold 7 in 2025. — Eric Zeman, PC Magazine, 22 July 2026 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 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
  • Following instructions from the kidnappers (unbeknownst to his increasingly agitated comrades), Lee drives out to meet them for the exchange, only to wreck his car and become distracted saving a nearby woman, Hua (Moon Lee).
    — Jake Cole, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026
  • During the interview at TMZ‘s offices, West grew increasingly agitated, pacing the newsroom while discussing opioid use and liposuction.
    — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Trump’s approval ratings, however, are at an all-time low, and the party is worried about MAGA voters not turning out in large numbers.
    — Elizabeth Robinson, NBC news, 10 Sep. 2026
  • There’s a generational gap in the concerns, with people increasingly worried about younger generations and entry-level jobs getting eaten by AI.
    — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Michael was still frightened and disoriented by what had taken place over spring break.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Roosevelt offered frightened and dispirited Americans a vision of a secure future.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of frightened
Adjective
  • Fulham’s current rest-defence shape leads to frantic back-tracking defending, while the opposition can pull the centre-back partnership across the pitch with passes in behind and switches into the channels.
    — Thom Harris, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Booth was in Toronto with his wife to attend an international convention for the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) when delegates from New York suddenly received frantic calls and left the meeting.
    — Kaanita Iyer, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of frantic
Adjective
  • Smelling human hormones of fear, Whistler would have known that Mary was scared.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Across the playground, Star climbed to the top of a slide, then got too scared to come down.
    — Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of scared
Adjective
  • Instead, coaches have become more and more terrified through the years of seeing their players getting hurt during largely meaningless games in August.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Tempe police ultimately convinced the couple, who were initially too terrified to report the incident, to share what had happened to them, documents said.
    — Perry Vandell, AZCentral.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of terrified
Adjective
  • Bayern Munich also play Thursday, hosting Bodo/Glimt, who last season knocked out Inter in a huge last-32 upset.
    — Leon Imber, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • The seven-time Grand Slam champion ultimately fell to Shelton in the thrilling upset, 6-7(5-7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7).
    — Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 9 Sep. 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 14 Sep. 2026.

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