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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 distress
Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Other experts reckoned the intense emotional and psychological distress unleashed by the pandemic had spilled onto the roads.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Zara suede leather jacket Frame The Hang distressed denim shorts
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball
The vibe: Edgy, Mother Monster-worthy fashions in moody shades of red and black.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
These actions are causing unnecessary distress and harm.
—Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2025
Other experts reckoned the intense emotional and psychological distress unleashed by the pandemic had spilled onto the roads.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2025
Verb
The technique also gives weft yarns that are distressed a more flat and neat appearance.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025
Zara suede leather jacket Frame The Hang distressed denim shorts
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball
The vibe: Edgy, Mother Monster-worthy fashions in moody shades of red and black.
—Christian Allaire, Vogue, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
-
Meanwhile, Joseph writhes in the agony of his own newfound girl craziness (and cleavage obsession).—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
7 July 2025
-
Williams was never offered any other clear pathway to finding relief—even as the agony from her fibroids was getting worse.—
Kayla Greaves,
SELF,
3 July 2025
Noun
-
Some of the region's most prolific developers, architects, construction firms and more risk losing work if developers can't use tax credits to bring derelict buildings back to life.—
Sydney Franklin,
The Enquirer,
5 July 2025
-
And while the gas is well known for its short-term risks in occupational settings, less is known about the consequences of long-term exposure.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
In an interview with an internal affairs investigator, Pascua said she wasn’t alarmed by Elisa’s fall.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 July 2025
-
Those of us frustrated or alarmed about the scope of the Trump administration’s immigration raids must unequivocally condemn violence against government workers and law enforcement.—
Dallas Morning News,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
But the first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
11 July 2025
-
Ming-Na Wen Tapped Into Deep Emotions To Play Dr. Fong In ‘Karate Kid: Legends’ While Ming-Na Wen doesn’t throw a punch in Karate Kid: Legends, that doesn’t mean her character hasn’t been in past battles, particularly those dealing with mental anguish.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2025
Noun
-
And with the dangers on the minds of some after a flash flood in June in nearby San Antonio killed 13 people, local media reiterated state warnings about the potential for flooding.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 July 2025
-
Recent flash flooding in Texas, New Mexico and North Carolina is highlighting the extreme dangers that these raging torrents of water can bring to communities in a matter of minutes.—
July 9,
CBS News,
9 July 2025
Verb
-
The suit alleges that several internal memos concerning drugs and other contraband have gone unheeded for years.—
Cody Copeland,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 July 2025
-
The warning was released on Monday at 4:41 p.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Monday at 4:47 p.m.—
Kansas City Star Bot
Updated July 14,
Kansas City Star,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
Six months ago, two weeks before my planned starting date, a mysterious pain in my side sent me to see Doc Morris for a checkup that led to a surprise double surgery to remove both a dodgy gallbladder and a carrot-sized tumor from my lower intestines, the first serious medical crisis of my life.—
James Dodson
July 7,
Literary Hub,
7 July 2025
-
Our lives in Iran, our pain, are different from the ‘official’ version.—
Marta Balaga,
Variety,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
Though Matt Wallner singled to move Lewis to third, the Twins’ rally was in serious jeopardy after Ty France popped out.—
Dan Hayes,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Cutting the size of the division from 20 to 15 teams would increase the quality and jeopardy for every team.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share