1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
distressing signs that another war might be imminent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
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 distressing
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
The subtle distressing adds an antique feel, and soft shades of blue, gold, and pink add a hint of brightness.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
While some progress has been made on the Northwest Side, including the removal of the Legion Park encampment, the problem is still visible and distressing in other parks.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The armed men also burned the local police station and a police vehicle and stole livestock, adding to the already distressing outlook of widespread hunger remaining in Haiti through the end of June.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Tired of distressing headlines?
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
How to protect yourself from a scam Falling victim to a scam is distressing, especially because your personal information can be used to steal your identity, drain your bank account and, ultimately, compromise your financial health.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Estrogen patches — also known as estradiol patches — delivers the hormone estrogen via the skin, where it's absorbed to help alleviate the more distressing symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, and vaginal dryness and burning.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Reducing exposure to distressing sounds, offering reassurance, and using desensitization techniques can help ease your dog's anxiety.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 7 Apr. 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
Somewhat distressing at the national level were the 24 states that experienced job market dips over the past year.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 16 Apr. 2026
The subtle distressing adds an antique feel, and soft shades of blue, gold, and pink add a hint of brightness.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
While some progress has been made on the Northwest Side, including the removal of the Legion Park encampment, the problem is still visible and distressing in other parks.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
The armed men also burned the local police station and a police vehicle and stole livestock, adding to the already distressing outlook of widespread hunger remaining in Haiti through the end of June.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 14 Apr. 2026
Tired of distressing headlines?
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026
How to protect yourself from a scam Falling victim to a scam is distressing, especially because your personal information can be used to steal your identity, drain your bank account and, ultimately, compromise your financial health.
—Jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026
Estrogen patches — also known as estradiol patches — delivers the hormone estrogen via the skin, where it's absorbed to help alleviate the more distressing symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, and vaginal dryness and burning.
—Cara Lynn Shultz, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026
Reducing exposure to distressing sounds, offering reassurance, and using desensitization techniques can help ease your dog's anxiety.
—Jamie Cuccinelli, Martha Stewart, 7 Apr. 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
-
The story centers on a young couple (Charles Melton and Cailee Spaeny) whose lives become entangled with their volatile boss and his wife (Isaac and Carey Mulligan) after witnessing a disturbing incident at an elite country club.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Before the footage was shown, as PEOPLE previously reported, Judge George Gallagher warned those in the courtroom that the material would be disturbing.—
Christina Coulter,
PEOPLE,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Based on the 1995 novel by Alice Hoffman, Practical Magic follows the witchy women of the Owens’ family, whose heartbroken ancestor cursed their bloodline so that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman dies a tragic death.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
We are saddened by this tragic news and wish to extend our condolences to this person's family and friends.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This kind of bare-knuckle politics might explain why so many other GOP leaders are uneasy.—
The Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Apr. 2026
-
The entire record is a Trojan horse—a clear vision of white womanhood that hides a whole lot of churning, uneasy feelings.—
Shaad D’Souza,
Pitchfork,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
West Texas Intermediate crude, the American benchmark, was once again nearing $100 per barrel, an unsettling development.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Even before the president set off this unfortunate round of gerrymandering, Democratic states such as New York and Illinois were already heavily gerrymandered.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
25 Apr. 2026
-
He’s beaten by thugs with a crowbar for an unfortunate outburst, exploited by neighbors in the council estate and arrested, all because people don’t understand Tourette syndrome.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The president and his Cabinet members are giving conflicting statements about the impact of the war on gas prices as Americans grow more anxious about the economic toll that the conflict is taking.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
21 Apr. 2026
-
This is the move that helps the shyest, most introverted, most socially anxious people relax.—
Henna Pryor,
CNBC,
20 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Perhaps his most notable friendship is with loyal longtime bodyguard Bill Bray (Keilyn Durrel Jones) and, to a lesser extent, his savvy manager John Branca (Miles Teller in a distracting wig).—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Punk was taking off the tape from his hands and threw it onto the ring, distracting the referee enough to hit Reigns with a low blow.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 26 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
