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distress

Q: How does the noun 'distress' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distress are agony , misery , and suffering . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. // the hurricane put everyone in great distress

Q: When might 'agony' be a better fit than 'distress'?

In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

Q: When is 'misery' a more appropriate choice than 'distress'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distress , misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

Q: When could 'suffering' be used to replace 'distress'?

The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

noun

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Synonyms & Antonyms of distress

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 a state of great suffering of body or mind

the upcoming bar exam is causing us considerable distress

the survivors were in extreme distress after having been stranded on the island for a week with no food

Synonyms for distress

Words Related to distress

discomfort

emergency,
pinch

Near Antonyms for distress

peace,
security

well-being

2 the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil

a ship in distress

Synonyms for distress

Words Related to distress

Near Antonyms for distress

defense,
protection

Antonyms for distress

distress

verb

Synonyms & Antonyms of distress (Entry 2 of 2)

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

don't let all the bad news distress you

Synonyms for distress

Words Related to distress

Near Antonyms for distress

Antonyms for distress

Frequently Asked Questions About distress

How does the noun distress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distress are agony, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress