1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
distressing signs that another war might be imminent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressing death of our favorite actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressing habit of constantly fiddling with her hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
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
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Recent Examples of distressing
Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Other styles featured paint splatter, lacing on the bottom half of the leg and distressing.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
The next few months will likely present many more distressing events on which these influencers will feel pressured to weigh in.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Either way, these changes can be distressing.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Two Minnesota school districts and the state's largest teachers union on Wednesday sued to block federal immigration agents from showing up to school property, which educators say is distressing families and disrupting student learning.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Seed is a game-changer that can significantly reduce distressing symptoms, such as stomach pain and bloating.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
What’s Shaping How People Show Up At Work Teams are operating against a constant backdrop of heavy, often distressing news.
—Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The bright green shade adds a pop of color, there’s plenty of distressing to give it that antique feel, and the delicate floral details add whimsical details.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Even more distressing for the Knights is the program’s recent history of late-season collapses.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 2026
Other styles featured paint splatter, lacing on the bottom half of the leg and distressing.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 10 Feb. 2026
The next few months will likely present many more distressing events on which these influencers will feel pressured to weigh in.
—Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Either way, these changes can be distressing.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Two Minnesota school districts and the state's largest teachers union on Wednesday sued to block federal immigration agents from showing up to school property, which educators say is distressing families and disrupting student learning.
—Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Seed is a game-changer that can significantly reduce distressing symptoms, such as stomach pain and bloating.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
What’s Shaping How People Show Up At Work Teams are operating against a constant backdrop of heavy, often distressing news.
—Teresa Hopke, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026
The bright green shade adds a pop of color, there’s plenty of distressing to give it that antique feel, and the delicate floral details add whimsical details.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 21 Jan. 2026
Verb
Thieves have tried to break into Taylor Minatogawa’s business five times in the last two months, distressing him so much he’s spent at least a dozen nights inside his shop keeping guard.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
-
Nell Tiger Free stars as a young novice who works at a Catholic orphanage plagued by mysterious, disturbing circumstances.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
21 Feb. 2026
-
In an initial statement Wednesday, Blalock said the video is disturbing and the parents and families of these students should be embarrassed.—
Allie Hennard,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Hitler’s personal copy of History of the Expedition, the narrative of the tragic Wegener venture, can be perused in the rare-book collection at the Library of Congress among the 1,200 or so remnant volumes from Hitler’s private library.—
Timothy W. Ryback,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
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Emmy winner Paris Barclay‘s 105-minute chronicle of the meteoric rise and tragic fall of Billy Preston is a treasure trove for classic rock and soul music fans.—
Karu F. Daniels,
New York Daily News,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That has trading partners uneasy.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Now, marquee names like LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Giannis Antetokounmpo have gotten into the game, creating an uneasy juxtaposition as other players have bemoaned the effects of gambling and verbal assault from fans.—
Mike Vorkunov,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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After her husband took her pets out of the room, Bloor then faced the even more delicate task of safely removing herself from the bed without alarming the snake.—
Phil Boucher,
PEOPLE,
16 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Still, that didn’t make the lore of Savannah any less bizarre, unsettling and riveting.—
Adam Kuehl,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But Duvall works on a different frequency, making the corporate machinery of the network feel even more unsettling than the chaos on camera.—
Glenn Whipp,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With so much experience playing Head, Claassen is easily able to improvise in the moment answering random questions, cracking jokes and exchanging repartee with audience members, like the unfortunate man in row B who dared to show up at the theater on Friday in a casual sweatshirt.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
21 Feb. 2026
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Ben Jaggers finds motivation from an unfortunate disqualification that stifled his bid for a medal last year.—
Rick Cantu,
Austin American Statesman,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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By Phillip Reese | KFF Health News After a grueling year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat breast cancer, Sadia Zapp was anxious — not the manageable hum that had long been part of her life, but something deeper, more distracting.—
KFF Health News,
Oc Register,
23 Feb. 2026
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After a grueling year of chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation to treat breast cancer, Sadia Zapp was anxious — not the manageable hum that had long been part of her life, but something deeper, more distracting.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Still, critics say the controversy risks distracting from preparations for the Games and eroding public confidence in the organizing committee.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Picture frame backsplashes are outdated and visually distracting, tied to early 2000s.—
Sarah Lyon,
The Spruce,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 24 Feb. 2026.
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