distressed

[dih-strest] / dɪˈstrɛst /

ADJECTIVE

upset

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afflicted agitated anxious distraught jittery miffed perturbed shaky troubled

STRONG

bothered bugged concerned discombobulated distracted dragged exercised harassed peeved ripped saddened shook spooked tormented wired worried wrecked

WEAK

all torn up antsy basket case bummed out bundle of nerves cut up disconsolate distrait fidgety hyper in a stew in a tizzy inconsolable jumpy shook-up shot down strung-out unconsolable unglued up the wall uptight wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm cool happy peaceful pleased untroubled

STRONG

unworried

WEAK

collected comforted glad joyful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In 1995, while still in law school, he started his first firm, MG Capital, which acquired and ran distressed manufacturing companies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 11, 2026

In addition to creating a trove of accessible, family-friendly programs, he’s taken a number of big, bold swings, buying up distressed assets that now span broadcast, cable, streaming and film distribution.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 8, 2026

As I set off, the shoes emitted a peppy clip-clop and a satisfying groan of distressed leather with each step.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

"The brutal murder of Henry has really shook our community to its core and people are rightly really upset, distressed and sad," Satvir Kaur, Labour MP for Southampton Test, said.

From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026

The numbers of incarcerated people with serious mental illness declined dramatically, while public and private mental health facilities emerged to provide care to the mentally distressed.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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