: suffering from high levels of physical or especially psychological stress

Examples of stressed-out in a Sentence

the demands of this job are enough to make anyone stressed-out
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Some parents have gone so far as to make gift bags to pass out to their fellow passengers as a pre-apology for a crying baby—a totally unnecessary gesture that forces stressed-out parents to take responsibility for the emotional reactions of adults who should be able to control themselves. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 2 Sep. 2025 Having a pet also encourages responsibility, and children may also be generally happier, healthier and less stressed-out. Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 July 2025 In the years since, he’s just been a cool—yet stressed-out—guy tootling around anonymously from race to race. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 17 June 2025 Hydrating Skin Recovery Emulsion is a lightweight, calming moisturizer that helps bring sensitive or stressed-out skin back to life—so much so that our own editors prefer to pair this with tretinoin. Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 27 Mar. 2025 A couple of my girlfriends (one who lived across the street and had a set of keys to my place) had stocked my fridge and left the notes out of concern because in my most anxious and stressed-out state, basic things like sleeping and eating become afterthoughts. Kathleen Newman-Bremang, refinery29.com, 13 Nov. 2023 One of those three is Judy Greer’s stressed-out, grieving Sophie, a long-term care nurse living with her 11-year-old daughter, Riley (Faithe Herman) in East Los Angeles. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 12 Aug. 2023 Who wants frustrated and stressed-out workers bad-mouthing the company to their peers, right? Dr. Gleb Tsipursky, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stressed-out was in 1980

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Cite this Entry

“Stressed-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stressed-out. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

stressed-out

adjective
ˈstrest-ˈau̇t
: suffering from high levels of physical or especially psychological stress
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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