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.

At a human rights centre in Tehran, Aysha - whose name has been changed - is counselling a distressed mother on the telephone.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the US, told the BBC on Thursday that they were "deeply distressed by this tragedy".

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Nowhere is there any critical examination of this framing of distressed children as “clients” holding “goals” of changing themselves.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

After the war, Jacob, back in Louisiana, bought up distressed plantations, and Bernard returned to “this rough, rural, ruined place” to help run their business and agricultural empire.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

“There is nothing the matter with me. I am quite well; I am only distressed by some dreadful news which I have just received from Longbourn.”

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen

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