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.

"But without a speech and language therapist there, these issues might be missed and the patient might not be able to communicate they're distressed so this is an aspect of patient safety."

From BBC • May 17, 2026

The wave of sympathy tipped into public anger on April 1 when regional authorities announced they were convinced the badly injured and distressed animal could no longer be saved.

From Barron's • Apr. 23, 2026

In his early 30s, he co-founded Cerberus and made a fortune by taking over distressed companies such as supermarket chain Albertsons and revamping their operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

He was found "distressed, crying and in shock".

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

Slant is greatly distressed by this terrible lullaby; and protested to Olakunde, Pomp, and me, “Maybe he live for one hundred years. They can’t go eat him. Another thing can’t die. Not one more thing.”

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

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