1
as in agony
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
a ship in distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of distress
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
One of the couples, David Ermold and David Moore, later sued Davis for emotional distress.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent downgrades by ratings agencies Fitch and Moody’s have raised questions on Afreximbank’s lending, especially to distressed African states.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
The suit, which names Austin Miller as a co-defendant with the club, seeks damages for mental and emotional distress, legal fees and more, plus punitive damages.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Nov. 2025
One of the couples, David Ermold and David Moore, later sued Davis for emotional distress.
—Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 10 Nov. 2025
Verb
His heart was racing, his breathing distressed.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent downgrades by ratings agencies Fitch and Moody’s have raised questions on Afreximbank’s lending, especially to distressed African states.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
-
Following months of agony and fundraising, Abeba was eventually able to send enough money to pay for her brother Daniel’s release.—
Mick Krever,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Near those boundaries, microscopic changes in pace or line flip the result, explaining why near-identical putts can alternate between agony and ecstasy.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Wireless systems also pose new safety risks, such as stray magnetic fields, fire hazards, and heating of metal objects, requiring further research and development (R&D) and stricter standardization.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Oddly empty flight = higher risk of cancellation.—
The Kim Komando Show,
FOXNews.com,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Sexton called for the review after hearing from owners alarmed by the rapid rise in assessed values.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
4 Nov. 2025
-
The president has galvanized supporters or alarmed his opponents across the country.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
No adolescent defiance or child’s anguish was visible on his face now.—
George Packer,
The Atlantic,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Some critics called for more editorial discipline in the film, or found Lawrence’s onscreen spin cycle of anguish, which involves literally clawing her way up walls or flinging herself through glass doors, to be repetitive.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
People get in the bathtub, think something, bathe themselves and then stand up from the bathwater, all of this is rather ordinary, but even the most ordinary thing in this world can conceal considerable danger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
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Sensing danger, Charlie doubles down on sucking up.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The lack of an addition to the running back room hit harder on Monday when Chiefs head coach Andy Reid offered a concise, but concerning, injury update on Pacheco.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
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The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act updated the farm safety net and other farm insurance programs, but lawmakers still need to revise programs concerning rural development and agricultural research.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca said after the match that the Argentina international had asked to be substituted due to his pain.—
Colin Millar,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The red sole is a visible pain endured for the privilege of being seen enduring it.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
9 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Which stinks, given not only the efforts of those involved but the stakes and organic jeopardy of Saturday.—
Megan Feringa,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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One team is in serious jeopardy of missing the CFP after suffering a loss on Friday night.—
Jordan Sigler,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 15 Dec. 2025.
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