as in distress
a state of great suffering of body or mind
in great straits over the loss of her mother's cherished necklace
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Recent Examples of straits
Desperate for more space, the city negotiated an initial $40 million deal with the Row, still in financial straits from the pandemic.
—
Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Recognizing the dire straits, the California Fish and Game Commission in April voted to uplist desert tortoises from threatened to endangered.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Both straits are situated near Taiwan.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Because the Montreux Convention enforced by Ankara prevents Russian warships passing through the Turkish straits, Moscow is likely to redeploy the vessels to its bases in northwestern Russia and Kaliningrad, which borders the Baltic Sea, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Jets fans may be used to such dire straits as the NFL regular season enters its final full month, the implosion of both New York franchises makes for one of the league’s most cringeworthy storylines this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Much of the money in this agreement will likely be structured as debt too—and will add to a global debt crisis that the International Monetary Fund estimates has 35 countries in dire financial straits this year.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2024
Back then, the Cuban American community in Miami took Elian's case as a cause to beat Fidel Castro and as a way to communicate to the world why so many Cubans left the island, even at the risk of dying in the Florida straits.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024
Instead, local governments, many already in difficult financial straits, have spent to keep what are rapidly becoming zombi firms afloat.
—Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Luis Ferré-Sadurní, New York Times, 23 Dec. 2024
Recognizing the dire straits, the California Fish and Game Commission in April voted to uplist desert tortoises from threatened to endangered.
—Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 21 Dec. 2024
Both straits are situated near Taiwan.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Because the Montreux Convention enforced by Ankara prevents Russian warships passing through the Turkish straits, Moscow is likely to redeploy the vessels to its bases in northwestern Russia and Kaliningrad, which borders the Baltic Sea, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said.
—Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024
While Jets fans may be used to such dire straits as the NFL regular season enters its final full month, the implosion of both New York franchises makes for one of the league’s most cringeworthy storylines this year.
—Kyle Feldscher, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024
Much of the money in this agreement will likely be structured as debt too—and will add to a global debt crisis that the International Monetary Fund estimates has 35 countries in dire financial straits this year.
—Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 24 Nov. 2024
Back then, the Cuban American community in Miami took Elian's case as a cause to beat Fidel Castro and as a way to communicate to the world why so many Cubans left the island, even at the risk of dying in the Florida straits.
—Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 9 Oct. 2024
Instead, local governments, many already in difficult financial straits, have spent to keep what are rapidly becoming zombi firms afloat.
—Milton Ezrati, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for straits
Noun
-
Notably, unemployment among Black men spiked significantly from 5.2% in May to 6.9% in July, illustrating a spreading distress that often starts with the most vulnerable groups and then extends wider in the labor market.—
Aisha Nyandoro,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The legislation also follows several studies that highlighted concerning examples of AI therapy tools overlooking, or even encouraging, signs of mental distress.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As the hours pass, the anguish of the families and their fellow miners has increased.—
Cristopher Ulloa,
CNN Money,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The passage of time may increase the anguish of self-examination, but the search for truth is always worth the cost.—
Gary Knight,
Rolling Stone,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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For many, the relationship with tequila ended in their early 20s with promises made to some dormitory deity — often made of porcelain — to end a miserable night’s agony.—
Todd Harmonson,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
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My wing-scarfing strategy was to plow through as many as possible before the agony set in, then survive the remainder without committing the day-ruining error of touching my eyes.—
Bradley Hohulin,
IndyStar,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Recognizing the distinction between mechanical tightness and protective tension is crucial for anyone experiencing chronic stiffness, recurring pain or short-term mobility gains that just won’t stick.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
12 Aug. 2025
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Create an escalation path and stick to it: PCP first for routine or chronic issues; urgent care for same-day but moderate problems; telehealth for quick guidance on straightforward stuff (rashes, mild colds); ER only for the big, scary, time-sensitive events like chest pain or stroke symptoms.—
John Samuels,
Forbes.com,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Straits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/straits. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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