1
as in agony
a state of great suffering of body or mind
the upcoming bar exam is causing us considerable distress the survivors were in extreme distress after having been stranded on the island for a week with no food
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
a ship in distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of distress
Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 June 2025
For vulnerable populations, including children, elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, these effects can be more severe, potentially leading to acute respiratory distress or cardiac events.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Lawmakers found the sell-off in the bond markets especially distressing because of its implication for the broader economy.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
While technology can be a valuable tool, too much of it can impact mental well-being–otherwise known as digital distress.
—Alex Shoemaker, Parents, 4 June 2025
For vulnerable populations, including children, elderly adults, pregnant women, and people with respiratory or cardiovascular diseases, these effects can be more severe, potentially leading to acute respiratory distress or cardiac events.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Verb
The student, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of being targeted by authorities, said she has been distressed to see the terminations even for students like her without criminal records.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Lawmakers found the sell-off in the bond markets especially distressing because of its implication for the broader economy.
—Alexander Bolton, The Hill, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
-
Barking in agony, the fox scratches and claws in any attempt to free itself and get to safety.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
28 May 2025
-
Michaela calmly explains that Jocelyn got botched plastic surgery that’s kept her in private agony for the last decade.—
Caroline Framke,
Vulture,
23 May 2025
Noun
-
Miyazaki being pushed to the forefront, mostly due to the way audiences respond to his movies, risks diminishing the work of everyone else at the studio.—
Ryan Gaur,
IndieWire,
10 June 2025
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Some powders contain aspartame or acesulfame potassium (also known as acesulfame K), which, one 2022 study suggested, may be linked to a greater cancer risk (although other studies have not found this).—
MISAKI KAWATSU,
Vogue,
10 June 2025
Verb
-
Her red Chevy Avalanche was found abandoned with windows rolled down -- a detail that immediately alarmed her family.—
Doc Louallen,
ABC News,
6 June 2025
-
Trump’s sudden rebuke has alarmed some conservative court-watchers, who warn the president’s new approach could fracture a judicial pipeline built over decades.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
Among the thousands left in anguish is Sasha Escalante, a 44-year-old Venezuelan radio producer living in Miami.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
5 June 2025
-
Criminalizing them can lead to extended mental anguish.—
Sophie Clark,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Noun
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Deputy Pilot Jonathan Lozada noted that the dark surroundings added to the danger of the rescue.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
3 June 2025
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Along the coast, a different danger is lurking — a south swell bringing with it elevated surf up to 6 feet high and rip currents.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2025
Verb
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The incident was reported Friday at 9:17 a.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Friday at 9:20 a.m.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
8 June 2025
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Having said that, returning from a serious ankle injury is absolutely something to be concerned about.—
Brad Biggs,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2025
Noun
-
Winant crystallizes this idea of crossing a indescribable threshold through her discussion and analysis of masochism, an intrinsic component of athletic practice that intertwines physical pleasure with pain.—
Jessica Simmons-Reid,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
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Coach Cheryl Reeve said pregame that Collier’s pain wasn’t from anything that happened in a recent game.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
That has left the future of two wide receivers in potential jeopardy.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
-
The development adds another layer of legal jeopardy for the Tate brothers, who have become lightning rods for controversy over their online content and lifestyle brand.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
28 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 14 Jun. 2025.
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