in distress
idiom
1
: very upset
He was clearly in distress upon hearing the news.
2
: in a very difficult situation in which one does not have enough money, food, etc.
She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress.
3
of a boat, airplane, etc.
: in a state of danger or desperate need
The ship was in distress.
Examples of in distress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
With its former partner Farfetch in distress, Compagnie Financière Richemont was quick to pivot and find a new owner for Yoox Net-a-porter.
—
Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
Most insurance calls are made in distress, and AI helps provide a more positive and enriching experience for both customers and agents.
—Sudhir Chaturvedi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Experts say that the whale — a 40-foot-long, approximately 5-year-old humpback — is likely in distress because the rope is tightly tied around its right flipper and extends through its mouth.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Swift halted a show in Edinburgh, Scotland, and refused to keep singing until crew members helped a fan who apparently was in distress.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in distress 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Samantha Conti, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024
Most insurance calls are made in distress, and AI helps provide a more positive and enriching experience for both customers and agents.
—Sudhir Chaturvedi, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Experts say that the whale — a 40-foot-long, approximately 5-year-old humpback — is likely in distress because the rope is tightly tied around its right flipper and extends through its mouth.
—Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
Swift halted a show in Edinburgh, Scotland, and refused to keep singing until crew members helped a fan who apparently was in distress.
—Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for in distress
Dictionary Entries Near in distress
Cite this Entry
“In distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20distress. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share