DISTRESS Synonyms: 167 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'distress' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distress are agony , misery , and suffering . While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. // the hurricane put everyone in great distress

Q: When might 'agony' be a better fit than 'distress'?

In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. // in agony over the death of their child

Q: When is 'misery' a more appropriate choice than 'distress'?

While in some cases nearly identical to distress , misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. // the homeless live with misery every day

Q: When could 'suffering' be used to replace 'distress'?

The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. // the suffering of famine victims

distress 1 of 2

noun

di-ˈstres

Definition of distress next

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

as in risk

the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil a ship in distress

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

distress

2 of 2

verb

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun distress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distress are agony, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When might agony be a better fit than distress?

In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When is misery a more appropriate choice than distress?

While in some cases nearly identical to distress, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When could suffering be used to replace distress?

The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of distress

Noun

Collins’ partner had called the cops for help with her autistic 15-year-old son, who was in extreme distress. —

Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025 That so many hostages are still in Gaza remains a source of deep distress. —

Dina Kraft, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Jan. 2025

Verb

Some underlying conditions are not dangerous, but their symptoms are distressing. —

Sarah Hudgens, Health, 20 Dec. 2024 Muir then aged and distressed his fit to reflect centuries of decay. —

Bethy Squires, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for distress

Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress

Noun

Ohio State had several years of agony fueling its CFP run, and the 2025 season will be Penn State’s turn to attempt something similar.

— Austin Meek, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
After 15 months of agony, the potential Gaza ceasefire comes as a colossal relief not just for Palestinians and Israelis, but for the wider Middle East.

— Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025