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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distressing
Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The gray, white, and blue stripes, accented with an intermittent chevron pattern, add interest, while moderate distressing helps disguise everyday wear and tear.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Some agencies recommend switching off the news entirely or limiting conversations about distressing events with other adults if children can hear.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Medication Sometimes the fatigue can be very distressing and cannot be managed by non-pharmacological therapies.
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026
In our recent, not-yet-successful efforts to reform gerrymandering abuses in Illinois, my associates and I have received disquieting, even distressing, feedback about our state.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
But for a person in recovery from an eating disorder, focusing too much on diet can be psychologically distressing.
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Following Kellou, a young woman who sees distressing visions of the past and future, the film is both a mystical parable and a metaphor-heavy narrative.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Even more distressing for the Knights is the program’s recent history of late-season collapses.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 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
Smith shares a distressing anecdote.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026
The gray, white, and blue stripes, accented with an intermittent chevron pattern, add interest, while moderate distressing helps disguise everyday wear and tear.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 6 Mar. 2026
Some agencies recommend switching off the news entirely or limiting conversations about distressing events with other adults if children can hear.
—ABC News, 4 Mar. 2026
Medication Sometimes the fatigue can be very distressing and cannot be managed by non-pharmacological therapies.
—Doru Paul, Verywell Health, 27 Feb. 2026
In our recent, not-yet-successful efforts to reform gerrymandering abuses in Illinois, my associates and I have received disquieting, even distressing, feedback about our state.
—Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2026
But for a person in recovery from an eating disorder, focusing too much on diet can be psychologically distressing.
—Mara Gordon, NPR, 27 Feb. 2026
Following Kellou, a young woman who sees distressing visions of the past and future, the film is both a mystical parable and a metaphor-heavy narrative.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026
Even more distressing for the Knights is the program’s recent history of late-season collapses.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Feb. 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
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What followed was even more disturbing.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
That would be a particularly disturbing piece of real hate mail Kubrin received late last year after she was quoted in a news story about immigration and crime.—
Andre Mouchard,
Oc Register,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Frankenstein is nominated for nine Academy Awards, including nods for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor, the latter for Jacob Elordi's portrayal of the tragic monster.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
-
The novel refuses to package trans lives as tragic or easily digestible.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Many travelers feel 'uneasy' about going abroad.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
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The United States and Israel’s widening war with Iran has stricken an already uneasy global economy with a new bout of uncertainty.—
Mirtha Donastorg,
AJC.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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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
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Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Instead of an attack, the play offers something more unsettling, a meditation on the allure of a bad life and the trap of a good one.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
12 Mar. 2026
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Hair changes can feel unsettling, especially during life stages like postpartum recovery or menopause.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Celta’s experienced striker Borja Iglesias equalized for the home side with his third goal in four games after 25 minutes, and strike partner Iago Aspas was unfortunate to see his shot come back off the post with two minutes remaining as both sides pushed for a winner.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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This time round, though, an unfortunate silliness sometimes creeps in, where the film risks tipping over Shakespearean-size emotions into embarrassing bathos.—
Miriam Balanescu,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The film is at its best building tension and showing us just how anxious life is under dictatorial rule.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The anxious impatience of being en route has permeated cootie catcher’s music since their earliest releases in 2021.—
Jude Noel,
Pitchfork,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Also, higher oil prices mean more income for Russia, and the war in Iran is distracting the world from Putin’s war in Ukraine.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
10 Mar. 2026
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Additional creature comforts also can be nice but distracting.—
Metro Creative Services,
Boston Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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