1
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressful period during which we waited to learn who had made the cut
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2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressful living conditions in the refugee camp
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Recent Examples of distressful
And yet behind the distressful scene, a young man continues to butcher an animal.
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Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote for the Roe-affirming majority in 1973, included a brief list of the potential detriments of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term: Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.
—Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022
The definition of trauma is anything distressful.
—Julia M. Chan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
But the results, Mr. Chancellor observes, were not as distressful for the rich as a medieval canonist might have hoped.
—Adam Rowe, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022
Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote for the Roe-affirming majority in 1973, included a brief list of the potential detriments of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term: Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.
—Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022
The definition of trauma is anything distressful.
—Julia M. Chan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
But the results, Mr. Chancellor observes, were not as distressful for the rich as a medieval canonist might have hoped.
—Adam Rowe, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressful
Adjective
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There’s no shortage of movies that have looked at Dylan’s music and his uneasy relationship to fame.David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024
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For history buffs, a deep dive into a pivotal period of Japanese history and the uneasy relationship between East and West.Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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This tragic incident has drawn attention to the broader issue of chronic pain, which affects millions of Americans and is often linked to significant mental and emotional distress.Amanda Castro, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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Obituaries Toni Morrison dead at 88: ‘Beloved’ author captured tragic and joyful complexion of life and race Aug. 6, 2019 As a winner of seven NAACP awards and countless more accolades for her achievements in poetry — Giovanni helped up-and-coming writers.Astrid Kayembe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Duchamp spent the last twenty years of his life working in secret on a three-dimensional tableau vivant of a naked, headless female body in a realistic landscape, a strangely disturbing image that is both a summary of his meta-retinal art and a total departure from it.Calvin Tomkins, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
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One of the more disturbing results was from the dinner party at the Brooklyn apartment of my ProPublica colleague.Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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My role has not been to judge or point fingers at any party involved in this unfortunate situation.Arlyssa D. Becenti, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2024
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The unfortunate trend is certainly concerning for a Lions team that is hoping to make a deep playoff run.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Better Workplaces: How to Foster Inclusion and Civility | A Newsweek Horizons Event Promo By Lauren Giella National Reporter 1 In the weeks after the 2024 presidential election, companies across the U.S. are dealing with an uptick in tense political discourse in the workplace.Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
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Translating through an interpreter that everyone can see adds a human touch to the conversation, which is helpful in tense situations, such as when speaking with an anxious client or patient.Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Concerns With Imported Toys The report highlights a number of unsettling realities surrounding toys purchased by U.S. consumers directly from online retailers located overseas.Mia Taylor, Parents, 27 Nov. 2024
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Simply sharing the final score — Dallas Cowboys 34, Washington Commanders 26 — does not come close to explaining the bizarre ending and unsettling ways the home team lost with contributions from all three phases.Ben Standig, The Athletic, 24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Farmers are anxious about the loss of farmland, and the Manx National Farmers’ Union has opposed plans elsewhere to convert agricultural land to rainforest.Christine Ro, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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This promise has left people in the area anxious about the deep impact new workplace raids could have on the community's psyche and the economy.Sergio Martínez-Beltrán, NPR, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Tyler Hines did such an amazing job of being a mentor this season, and a supporter for all of us nervous guys in the middle of a competition.Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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Read more Auto giants are getting nervous about the prospect of mega fines as EV demand falters ‘Europe’s Detroit’ built a thriving car industry.Sam Meredith, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near distressful
Cite this Entry
“Distressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressful. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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