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
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
While their Instagram accounts are filled with doting posts about each other, Kwame shared a distressing update about his health in January, revealing that he'd been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
The group sees ample opportunity for partnership with some of the denim industry’s leading finishing innovators, who have worked to replace stone-washing techniques—which are polluting and water-guzzling—with lasers to achieve whiskering and distressing.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Parks recalls a distressing moment when three kids under her care opened her locked front door and ran out.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
When a stray was brought to his local shelter in a distressing state, the heartbreaking reality of his situation quickly emerged.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Implementing either policy would harm patients and cause distressing drug shortages and access issues.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
TikTok said that teen accounts cannot access graphic or potentially distressing content, even when the videos are tied to major news events.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Regardless of a user’s age, the company says its chatbots will attempt to redirect the most distressing conversations to more capable AI models that can provide a better response.
—Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Sanchez’s family calls it a ‘deeply distressing time’ Sanchez was in the city to work as an analyst on Fox Sports’ broadcast of the Indianapolis Colts’ game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2025
While their Instagram accounts are filled with doting posts about each other, Kwame shared a distressing update about his health in January, revealing that he'd been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Oct. 2025
The group sees ample opportunity for partnership with some of the denim industry’s leading finishing innovators, who have worked to replace stone-washing techniques—which are polluting and water-guzzling—with lasers to achieve whiskering and distressing.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Parks recalls a distressing moment when three kids under her care opened her locked front door and ran out.
—Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 29 Sep. 2025
When a stray was brought to his local shelter in a distressing state, the heartbreaking reality of his situation quickly emerged.
—Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
Implementing either policy would harm patients and cause distressing drug shortages and access issues.
—Wayne Winegarden, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
TikTok said that teen accounts cannot access graphic or potentially distressing content, even when the videos are tied to major news events.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 13 Sep. 2025
Regardless of a user’s age, the company says its chatbots will attempt to redirect the most distressing conversations to more capable AI models that can provide a better response.
—Barbara Ortutay, Fortune, 12 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
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The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
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There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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This film largely focuses on Desai’s story – including a tragic twist at the end of his life.—
Catherine E. Shoichet,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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She's also found ways for students to help in tragic circumstances before.—
John Wisely,
Freep.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Still, when her mom asks if Paul and his kids can come on the birthday trip, the woman feels uneasy.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
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The loss of data arrived during an uneasy period for policymakers.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Browning has thrown eight interceptions in four starts, which was alarming enough for the Bengals to make a move.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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But also alarming is that government officials don’t seem to take seriously the need to justify the reasons for their use of force, which should only be wielded to protect the rights of Americans.—
Agustina Vergara Cid,
Oc Register,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Toxic masculinity, of both the younger and older varieties, are on unsettling display in Alejandro Castro Arias’ debut feature, which recently received its world premiere at the Oldenburg International Film Festival.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Oct. 2025
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The news has prompted fears that the services will drive down prices, unsettling local tour operators in Kenya where the tourism sector accounts for 10% of the country’s GDP and employs more than a million people, many working in the safari tours space.—
Martin K.N Siele,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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To lose Livramento and Hall at the same time is unfortunate and has left Newcastle stretched down the defensive flanks, but letting Targett go was the right decision.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The track record in Jacksonville is a series of unfortunate events, and that hasn’t been because of the record.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Arizonan's are growing anxious as a deal for the federal government shutdown extends into its fourth day.—
Arizona Republic,
AZCentral.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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Amazon’s October Prime Day is days away, but for anxious shoppers who want to get a head start on saving, there are already plenty of deals to score.—
Shalwah Evans,
PEOPLE,
5 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Several moves Paramount has made since Ellison’s team took over have proved distracting to CBS News.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
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The whole idea is to choose something that isn't too distracting.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
5 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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