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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distress
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
In comparison to a severe abruption that causes a lot of bleeding, pain, and fetal distress is considered a medical emergency and may require immediate delivery to avoid complications like hemorrhage and even fetal or maternal death.
—Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Neighbors at the apartment complex were distressed at the sight.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
The pilot did not signal any problem with the aircraft and did not issue a distress call in the recordings reviewed by The Times.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
In comparison to a severe abruption that causes a lot of bleeding, pain, and fetal distress is considered a medical emergency and may require immediate delivery to avoid complications like hemorrhage and even fetal or maternal death.
—Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025
Verb
Made from breathable cotton terry fabric that is ultra-soft on the inside, Miramar is distinguishable by hyper realistic denim prints designed to capture every detail of classic jeans, from distressing and fading to tiny stitches and rivet.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Neighbors at the apartment complex were distressed at the sight.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
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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
-
The greatest storm coverage is expected from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is a moderate risk of life-threatening rip currents at all area beaches.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
30 May 2025
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Here are suggestions for staying safe during a thunderstorm: To minimize risk of being struck by lightning, when going outside, have a plan to get to a safer place.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
30 May 2025
Verb
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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, in an email, said that he was alarmed by the decision to cut the funding, adding that many Missourians in need of behavioral health care come to Kansas City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
-
The warning follows a concerning rise in measles cases nationally, with a significant outbreak in Texas that has alarmed public health officials.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Noun
-
The victim’s scream of anguish is captured in the video.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
-
Rite of Spring is the Pièce de resistance of the exhibition and features a mass of writhing bodies morphing into each other, women giving birth, androgynous figures and figures with expressions of anguish.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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Regulators and watchdogs have also long been concerned about donations from individuals with ties to foreign interests.—
Brian Slodysko,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
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Overnight, officials were primarily concerned with high levels of volcanic gas such as water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that can have far-reaching effects downwind.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
Noun
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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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The primary question negotiators must settle is how to share the pain of shrinking water supplies between the Upper Basin — which includes Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah — and the Lower Basin states of Arizona, California and Nevada.—
Elise Schmelzer,
Denver Post,
31 May 2025
Noun
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That has left the future of two wide receivers in potential jeopardy.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
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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 10 Jun. 2025.
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