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
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Loloi x Magnolia Home Sinclair Collection Area Rug Perfect for tying the entire room together, this area rug has antique motifs, subtle distressing details, and neutral shades of taupe that go with all kinds of hues.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The fact that calls here are so unbearably real adds an extra gut punch to an already distressing scenario.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Look for options with less hardware, no distressing, and a straightforward shape.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Content some readers may find distressing or offensive.
—Cecil Merkerson Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The emotional release should, characteristically, aid recovery after stressful or distressing experiences.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The stock market continues to be extraordinary in the face of distressing headlines, but the growing concentration risk has more investors on edge.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Men may feel threatened in their own success –– which is particularly distressing if they have been raised to see work as their top measure of worth –– and women may feel conflict about the division of household labor, McCoy said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 6 Sep. 2025
Loloi x Magnolia Home Sinclair Collection Area Rug Perfect for tying the entire room together, this area rug has antique motifs, subtle distressing details, and neutral shades of taupe that go with all kinds of hues.
—Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 6 Sep. 2025
The fact that calls here are so unbearably real adds an extra gut punch to an already distressing scenario.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025
Look for options with less hardware, no distressing, and a straightforward shape.
—Christina Holevas, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2025
Content some readers may find distressing or offensive.
—Cecil Merkerson Iii, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Aug. 2025
The emotional release should, characteristically, aid recovery after stressful or distressing experiences.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025
The stock market continues to be extraordinary in the face of distressing headlines, but the growing concentration risk has more investors on edge.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 16 Aug. 2025
Both are aimed at addressing the terrible wrongs done to them during one of the most distressing and hurtful episodes in our history.
—Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
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That's depicted in a disturbing, if somewhat inscrutable, scene.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
6 Sep. 2025
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Possibly, something disturbing will occur because someone has decided to make emotional demands on you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This was a senseless and tragic loss.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Sep. 2025
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Nicknamed Lucky and Lucky II, two baby pterosaurs who came to a tragic end.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Handing spending power to a piece of software makes people uneasy.—
Ron Schmelzer,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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An uneasy calm, after two nights of chaos that saw tens of thousands of people pour out into the streets to vent their fury, setting fire to parliament and the Supreme Court – key symbols of state – and clashing with the government forces sent to keep them under control.—
Lex Harvey,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The tackling was alarming enough that the Broncos were practicing on Monday with live tackles, something that’s not seen too often once the season starts.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Sep. 2025
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The news was saddening for Jewell — but also alarming for the defense.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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In turn, chickens have become a powerful — if not somewhat unsettling — example of how acutely humans can dictate the evolutionary destiny of other species.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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Having previously allowed Alessia Russo, Ona Batlle and Mary Earps to run their contracts into the final stages — a situation the club say was unsettling for the squad — United were determined not to make the same error.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This was the unfortunate and tragic outcome.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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This latest ‘oopsie’ also fits an unfortunate pattern.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Maddie is talented, warm, funny and kind but also anxious, plagued with low self-esteem cultivated by a traumatic childhood.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
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The other may be unsure, though not opposed, but anxious about leaving family and community.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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This combination lends itself to transitions from focus to out of focus and background blur (bokeh) that's smooth and free of distracting elements.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
9 Sep. 2025
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In class, Danny continues to be disorderly, challenging Maria’s authority, throwing stuff when angry, completely distracting and even frightening the other students.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.
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