distress 1 of 2

distress

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun distress differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of distress are agony, misery, and suffering. While all these words mean "the state of being in great trouble," distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress.

the hurricane put everyone in great distress

When might agony be a better fit than distress?

In some situations, the words agony and distress are roughly equivalent. However, agony suggests pain too intense to be borne.

in agony over the death of their child

When is misery a more appropriate choice than distress?

While in some cases nearly identical to distress, misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss.

the homeless live with misery every day

When could suffering be used to replace distress?

The synonyms suffering and distress are sometimes interchangeable, but suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress.

the suffering of famine victims

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of distress
Noun
That financial distress has sparked a big question for some of the more than 15 million customers who have used the company's services: What does a sale mean for the genetic data 23andMe stores? Avery Lotz, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 Customers can have their data deleted On March 21, California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert to the state's 23andMe customers given the company’s financial distress, reminding them of their right to have their genetic data deleted. Marc Ramirez, USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2025
Verb
As the weekend progresses, Aziza, a kind of stand-in for the audience, grows increasingly distressed by the toxic family dynamics in the Jasper home. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2025 Employees were also distressed by Acting Social Security Commissioner Lee Dudek's response to Elon Musk's demand that workers detail five recent work accomplishments. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
  • Another video showed a woman wailing in agony over one of the victims.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025
  • On a nation’s struggle and agony; the nature of democracy; Trump vs. Canada; and more On Monday, next to the Hudson River in New York, there was a demonstration.
    Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Participants’ risk of insomnia went up by 59% for each additional hour of screen time in bed, too.2 Is One Screen Activity Worse For Your Sleep Than Others?
    Simon Spichak, Health, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Regardless of the veracity of the cable-cutter reports, Chinese technological advances that can be used for military purposes pose inherent risks.
    Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • This abuse of immigration law should alarm us all, citizens and noncitizens alike.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Tariff threats are also alarming Canadians, particularly in Quebec, where more than 70% of the province’s exports are sent to the U.S.
    Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Hiding your anguish while pretending to be excited.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 25 Mar. 2025
  • Her teammates surrounded her, doing their best to block her anguish from the view of nearby photographers, before trainers arrived to help her.
    Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Gusty winds and dry conditions continue to fuel an elevated fire danger across parts of the country on Sunday.
    Daniel Peck, ABC News, 23 Mar. 2025
  • In a deathmatch between the danger to Disney nostalgia and adult authenticity, Sabrina Carpenter chose authenticity.
    Ashley Hume, Fox News, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Greene quickly told Kelner to concern herself with the affairs of her own country, specifically a high migrant crisis in the UK.
    Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • They shouldn’t be concerned that their AI interactions might be monitored.
    David Gucker, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Tariff timeline: Tracking the evolution of Donald Trump's trade war Trump says the ultimate fruits of tariffs will be worth the pain.
    Bailey Schulz, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
  • Inflammation Reduction and Joint Health Combining turmeric and magnesium may benefit joint health and relieve pain by reducing inflammation and supporting healthy joint tissues.
    Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Cheeky corner goal, Ronaldo Show rumbles on The humble international friendly has the jeopardy of a tea party and a little while ago, UEFA put it out to grass.
    Phil Hay, The Athletic, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Between the lines: If federal student borrowing is put in jeopardy, some may turn to private loans, which can be harder to access and more complicated.
    Kate Murphy, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 5 Apr. 2025.

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