1
as in agony
a state of great suffering of body or mind
the upcoming bar exam is causing us considerable distress the survivors were in extreme distress after having been stranded on the island for a week with no food
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in risk
the state of not being protected from injury, harm, or evil
a ship in distress
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to alarm
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distress
Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
In comparison to a severe abruption that causes a lot of bleeding, pain, and fetal distress is considered a medical emergency and may require immediate delivery to avoid complications like hemorrhage and even fetal or maternal death.
—Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025
Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Neighbors at the apartment complex were distressed at the sight.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Noun
The pilot did not signal any problem with the aircraft and did not issue a distress call in the recordings reviewed by The Times.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
In comparison to a severe abruption that causes a lot of bleeding, pain, and fetal distress is considered a medical emergency and may require immediate delivery to avoid complications like hemorrhage and even fetal or maternal death.
—Lisa McCarty, SELF, 21 May 2025
Verb
Made from breathable cotton terry fabric that is ultra-soft on the inside, Miramar is distinguishable by hyper realistic denim prints designed to capture every detail of classic jeans, from distressing and fading to tiny stitches and rivet.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 28 Apr. 2025
Neighbors at the apartment complex were distressed at the sight.
—Madison E. Goldberg, People.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distress
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distress
Noun
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At this point in the narrative, when Mike is sentenced to 14 months jail time, more conventional addiction dramas would dig into the trauma of incarceration and the agony of substance withdrawal.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2025
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One young man described the particular agony of being placed carelessly in a wheelchair and forced to sit for hours atop his testicles.—
Sarah Zhang,
The Atlantic,
16 May 2025
Noun
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There was also a high risk of severe weather issued the afternoon of Sunday, May 18 for parts of Oklahoma and Kansas.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
19 May 2025
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However, those with a history of heart disease, diabetes, or other conditions that increase their risk of cardiovascular disease may have lower LDL targets.—
Paul McClure
May 18,
New Atlas,
18 May 2025
Verb
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Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, in an email, said that he was alarmed by the decision to cut the funding, adding that many Missourians in need of behavioral health care come to Kansas City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
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The warning follows a concerning rise in measles cases nationally, with a significant outbreak in Texas that has alarmed public health officials.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 May 2025
Noun
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The victim’s scream of anguish is captured in the video.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
-
Rite of Spring is the Pièce de resistance of the exhibition and features a mass of writhing bodies morphing into each other, women giving birth, androgynous figures and figures with expressions of anguish.—
Lee Sharrock,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2025
Noun
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Scientists with Oceana and governmental and conservation organizations say the whales also face dangers from entanglement in commercial crabbing and fishing gear and vessel strikes.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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Officials and scientists have known for decades of the earthquake danger posed by soft-story apartment buildings.—
Rong-Gong Lin II,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Verb
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Overnight, officials were primarily concerned with high levels of volcanic gas such as water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that can have far-reaching effects downwind.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
27 May 2025
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Regulators and watchdogs have also long been concerned about donations from individuals with ties to foreign interests.—
Brian Slodysko,
Los Angeles Times,
27 May 2025
Noun
-
Symptoms like inflammation, joint pain, and stiffness are an inevitable part of aging.—
Health,
Health,
20 May 2025
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Contributor Aging often comes with unwelcome changes, like joint stiffness, nerve pain, sleepless nights, and slowed recovery.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The move has put in jeopardy millions of dollars for education, health care and law enforcement projects.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2025
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An interesting conversation between Nilay Patel and Jon Gruber touches on many issues, challenges, and legal jeopardy that Apple faces in 2025.—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distress. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.
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