distressful

adjective

di-ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce distressful (audio)
Definition of distressfulnext
1
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings the distressful period during which we waited to learn who had made the cut

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress the distressful living conditions in the refugee camp

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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 distressful If the prospect of being speedily dismissed by Pat Murphy’s gang is a downer for the Rays’ faithful, a 4-0 door-slam may be even more distressful to Fox and its advertising partners. — Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 27 Oct. 2026 Carrying debt can be incredibly distressful, especially with sky-high prices for food, gas and housing. — Mallika Mitra, Sacbee.com, 24 Aug. 2026 And yet behind the distressful scene, a young man continues to butcher an animal. — Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024 Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn. — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressful
  1. uneasy
  2. tragic
  3. disturbing
  4. unfortunate
  5. tense
  6. anxious
  7. unsettling
  8. nervous
Adjective
  • That uneasy feeling settles over the rest of Infinite Now like suffocating humidity.
    — Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Some support industrial policy but are uneasy about framing it principally around competition with China.
    — THOMAS WRIGHT, Foreign Affairs, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • The trio also discussed the mental turmoil among Latino youth, highlighting the recent tragic suicides of Samuel Gonzalez Terrones and Xavier Nungaray-Martinez.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The boom in vaccine-preventable outbreaks, cases, and tragic deaths is being fueled by slipping vaccination rates nationwide as health misinformation and anti-vaccine sentiments have taken hold.
    — Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of tragic
Adjective
  • Gainey could not be reached for comment, but while the current O'Connor administration has been cooperating with investigators, Chief of Staff Dann Gilman said these revelations are disturbing.
    — Andy Sheehan, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Even at their most disturbing, scenes describing carnage tend to be colorful and amusing.
    — Matthew Jacobs, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of disturbing
Adjective
  • The unfortunate truth is, most of them have lowered their standards in admissions and education.
    — Ian Kingsbury, Sun Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Just ask this unfortunate Alaskan bear recently spotted with several multi-foot long tapeworms hanging out of its butt.
    — Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfortunate
Adjective
  • Photographed here in his at-home music studio in 1978, the singer’s career was on the upswing—but his relationship with Weber was growing tense.
    — Michael Gioia, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Abdul El-Sayed may have clinched a historic victory in Michigan, but his tense exchange with a Sky News reporter on election night is not winning him supporters in the UK.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of tense
Adjective
  • Rushing to your appointment, feeling anxious, or drinking caffeine can raise your blood pressure.
    — Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Many in Iran are anxious about a possible return to all-out war.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • Jess Alder says dollhouse props fly off shelves, and the old building’s creaks can make closing time a little unsettling.
    — Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 30 Oct. 2026
  • So on Wednesday, after a full day of quiet, more people than usual were out on the streets in Kherson, enjoying the short glimpse of peaceful life, though many said the calm still felt unsettling.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of unsettling
Adjective
  • Meyers' thinking is that as the odds go up of a Democratic party win, investors are getting more nervous about parts of the artificial intelligence trade.
    — Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Later on, after the guests have left, this cheating convention makes Kaylee nervous.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of nervous

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Cite this Entry

“Distressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressful. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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