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
David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
This sideboard looks like an heirloom piece with its visible woodgrain, antique hardware, and subtle distressing.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Similarly, tax algorithmic amplification of distressing content and hyper-personalized targeting of minors so kids’ vulnerabilities and fears aren’t unnecessarily fueled for profit.
—Larz May, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
Most of the film’s other resemblances, of which there are many, prove less distressing.
—David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 28 Apr. 2026
This sideboard looks like an heirloom piece with its visible woodgrain, antique hardware, and subtle distressing.
—Shea Simmons, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026
Similarly, tax algorithmic amplification of distressing content and hyper-personalized targeting of minors so kids’ vulnerabilities and fears aren’t unnecessarily fueled for profit.
—Larz May, Fortune, 24 Apr. 2026
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
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
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
-
Chronister said content on Abugharbieh’s phone had been erased, but a forensic examination revealed disturbing searches in the days before Bristy and Limon went missing.—
Mike Schneider,
Sun Sentinel,
1 May 2026
-
The series is riveting and disturbing, culminating with Bateman’s arrest and eventual conviction.—
Maira Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Then something tragic takes place.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
30 Apr. 2026
-
In 1999, 81 years after the tragic sinking, the crew members of the Tampa were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
This return to record highs means 401(k)s, individual retirement accounts and stock portfolios that track benchmark US stock indexes recovered after an uneasy few weeks.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
-
So as the series shifts back to Kia Center, the Magic find themselves in a position that is both familiar and uneasy.—
Mike Bianchi,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 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
-
Still, things are unsettling here.—
Jen Chaney,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
-
But the intention is to create a new generation of horror films that draw from the unsettling power, psychological intensity, and cinematic ambition that made J-horror a defining force in global genre filmmaking.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But, yeah, that would be unfortunate.—
Ricky Sayer,
CBS News,
2 May 2026
-
In this unfortunate category, Amazon’s new feature for generating mini-podcast segments that shill for products on its shopping platform really takes the cake.—
Frank Landymore,
Futurism,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Speech is converted to text, processed by a language model, and passed through a personality layer designed to mimic C-3PO’s formal, anxious tone.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 May 2026
-
The sixth Kathy is an anxious traveler.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Verb
-
The curators supply a historical backdrop, therefore, but discreetly, and without distracting us from Wright’s poetic originality.—
Julian Bell,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Living Room also extends outdoors to the rooftop Terrazzo Bar with views that are almost too distracting.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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