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
Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Either way, these changes can be distressing.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
As a result, the inevitable downturns in a season become less distressing.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Inside this building, generations of artists a century apart converse about similarly distressing and awe-inducing encounters between us and our technological creations.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2026
The distressing imagery was shown on the second day of the capital murder trial for Preciado, 21, who is facing life in prison if found guilty.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2026
While the book contains a small number of images of nudity, they are presented with unguarded vulnerability, including depictions of distressing medical experiences.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith shares a distressing anecdote.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 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
The photo below may be distressing to some readers.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Either way, these changes can be distressing.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
The stalemate stems from Democrats’ insistence on immigration-enforcement reform — particularly, the cruel and often erroneous enforcement that is sending shockwaves of fear throughout immigrant populations and even distressing American-citizen residents of Puerto Rico.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
As a result, the inevitable downturns in a season become less distressing.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026
Inside this building, generations of artists a century apart converse about similarly distressing and awe-inducing encounters between us and our technological creations.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2026
The distressing imagery was shown on the second day of the capital murder trial for Preciado, 21, who is facing life in prison if found guilty.
—Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2026
While the book contains a small number of images of nudity, they are presented with unguarded vulnerability, including depictions of distressing medical experiences.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Smith shares a distressing anecdote.
—Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 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 Drama stars Robert Pattinson and Zendaya as Charlie and Emma, a young couple whose lives and upcoming wedding are thrown into disarray when the latter drunkenly reveals a disturbing secret from her past.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Apr. 2026
-
The details her 10-year-old daughter provided were disturbing for any parent to hear.—
Ashley Sharp,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Lying in this crypt is Nathan Lane’s Willy Loman, a tragic humbug, his delusions contradicted by the ruins around him.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2026
-
These are films that reflect the human condition through inspirational tales of struggle, tragic true stories, life-threatening conflicts, and intimate psychological portraits.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Many of these stemmed from the uneasy coexistence of political parties with religion – which was newly protected by the First Amendment – and with the Catholic Church in particular.—
Derek Arnold,
The Conversation,
6 Apr. 2026
-
So the uneasy authorities decided that such impertinence must be silenced once and for all.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
Recently, something new appeared on the landscape, alarming wildlife advocates like Christina Aiello.—
Lila Seidman,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
According to the film’s official logline, the story begins when police chief Bum-seok, played by Hwang, receives unsettling news from local youths that a tiger has appeared in the hills, a report that erupts into village-wide panic and soon escalates into something far stranger.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Apr. 2026
-
As the façade of privilege begins to crack, the film charts an unsettling psychological terrain.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Mikey never ended up doing anything beyond flirting, but his unfortunate turn of phrase was all Sydney needed to begin exploring her options in the villa.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Charlotte Hornets received an unfortunate reminder Friday night in their last home game of the regular season.—
Scott Fowler,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Although Amodei, who was leading the company’s safety team, had helped to pitch the deal to Bill Gates, many people on the team were anxious about it, fearing that Microsoft would insert provisions that overrode OpenAI’s ethical commitments.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
On the handful of occasions in each game between them when Jokic catches at the elbow and his teammates clear out, an anxious hush invariably falls over a buzzing arena.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Declutter the Exterior Clutter outside your home is just as distracting as clutter inside.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Not all Mauss’s material lends equally well to visualizations, and there are moments in the special when the animations are more distracting than additive.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
