DISTRAUGHT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

distraught

adjective

di-ˈstrȯt

Definition of distraught

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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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 The Loyola Blakefield graduate and founder of First Team Staffing, an organization centered around staffing professional and temporary workers, was distraught over his sudden inability to consistently drive off the tee. — Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 31 Aug. 2026 But today’s Court often divides along stark ideological lines, and the liberals often sound truly distraught in their dissents. — Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for distraught

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught

Adjective

Altercations between agitated people with dementia and other residents or workers charged with caring for them are disturbingly common in long-term care facilities and private homes.

— Jordan Rau, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Migratory birds in captivity develop Zugunruhe, an agitated fitfulness, at certain times of year.

— Rivka Galchen, New Yorker, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of agitated

Adjective

Not that the type of people staying here are worried about getting anywhere; this is the private car and driver, door-to-door service type of clientele.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
But instead of celebrating that success, Andi is worried she’ll be seen as an opportunist rather than a legitimate co-author.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of worried

Adjective

Prosecutors say Flynn staged a home invasion to mislead investigators and claimed in a frantic 911 call that a burglar had shot his wife.

— CBS News, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
Groh recommends booking a scan out of raw curiosity rather than a frantic search for safety.

— Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of frantic

Adjective

But others remain scared about losing coverage, including Heather Reel, who attended a rally at the state capitol in July to push back against Montana's early rollout.

— Aaron Bolton, NPR, 30 Sep. 2026
Cooper, for his part, acts all scared when Kat mentions visiting him and Gen in Fort Lauderdale.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of scared

Adjective

Legend has it Michael Jackson asked his security to keep fans away from him at a local dive bar, only to become upset when the locals were all too good at treating him like a normal person.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Ultimately, after he was found out to be a con artist, according to his critics, Minnesota media appears to be more so upset that Jamal was not acting in the Somali community’s best interests.

— Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

distrait

distraught

distress

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“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of distraught

adjective

Example Sentences

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