distressful

1 marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the distressful period during which we waited to learn who had made the cut Synonyms agitating, anxious, creepy, disquieting, nervous, distressing, disturbing, fraught, hairy, nail-biting, nerve-racking (or nerve-wracking), restless, tense, uneasy, unnerving, unsettling, worrisomeRelated Words bothersome, troublesome; foreboding, misgiving; discouraging, disheartening, strained; restive, restless, unrestful; awkward, embarrassingNear Antonyms restful; pacificAntonyms calming, comfortable, easy, peaceful, quiet, quieting, tranquil

2 of a kind to cause great distress the distressful living conditions in the refugee camp Synonyms deplorable, regrettable, distressing, grievous, heartbreaking, heartrending, lamentable, tragic (also tragical), unfortunate, unlucky, woefulRelated Words troublesome, vexatious; affecting, doleful, moving, piteous, poignant, ruthful, touching; awful, dire, dreadful, fearful, severe, terrible; alarming, disturbing, perturbing, traumatic, unsettling; crushing, excruciating, harrowing, horrible, horrifying, intolerable, overwhelming, shocking, sickening, unbearable; miserable, pitiful, sad, wretched; calamitous, disastrous; painful, raging, sharpNear Antonyms gratifying, pleasing, rewarding, satisfying; comforting, encouraging, heartening; cheering, heartwarming, inspiring; fortunate, happy, lucky