1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
distressing signs that another war might be imminent
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressing death of our favorite actor
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressing habit of constantly fiddling with her hair
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
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 distressing
Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Aniston gave the classic style a relaxed update while appearing in an Instagram clip with Courteney Cox, opting for loose cut-off jean shorts with subtle distressing that felt casual and easy to move around in.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
Loss of social connections effectively leads to a negative compounding effect for Americans who are already struggling financially, a particularly distressing trend for low-income households and young people.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Nahimas recently reimagined the shoe with suede overlays and light distressing; Super Yaya updated the silhouette with a polka dot canvas option and a patent option with an embossed polka dot design; and Guizio collaborated on an all-black iteration of the sneaker.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The shock and disbelief on their faces in the hospital scene that follows is acutely distressing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Regardless of a woman’s willpower or lifestyle, hormonal transitions trigger rapid weight gain that is both distressing and medically concerning.
—Latisa S Carson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
However, this becomes problematic when the mind starts treating distressing thoughts as unresolved threats that require constant monitoring.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Her fiction has long been characterized by gruesome imagery and body horror, often sustained by characters whose psychological torment proves even more distressing than their physical conditions.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
This therapy targets the traumatic memory directly, so it can be stored differently in the brain to reduce or even eliminate distressing symptoms linked to the trauma, according to the American Psychological Association.
—Sarah Dewberry, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
Aniston gave the classic style a relaxed update while appearing in an Instagram clip with Courteney Cox, opting for loose cut-off jean shorts with subtle distressing that felt casual and easy to move around in.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 26 May 2026
Loss of social connections effectively leads to a negative compounding effect for Americans who are already struggling financially, a particularly distressing trend for low-income households and young people.
—Tristan Bove, Fortune, 26 May 2026
Nahimas recently reimagined the shoe with suede overlays and light distressing; Super Yaya updated the silhouette with a polka dot canvas option and a patent option with an embossed polka dot design; and Guizio collaborated on an all-black iteration of the sneaker.
—Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 15 May 2026
The shock and disbelief on their faces in the hospital scene that follows is acutely distressing.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
Regardless of a woman’s willpower or lifestyle, hormonal transitions trigger rapid weight gain that is both distressing and medically concerning.
—Latisa S Carson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 May 2026
However, this becomes problematic when the mind starts treating distressing thoughts as unresolved threats that require constant monitoring.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026
Her fiction has long been characterized by gruesome imagery and body horror, often sustained by characters whose psychological torment proves even more distressing than their physical conditions.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
Verb
Thieves have tried to break into Taylor Minatogawa’s business five times in the last two months, distressing him so much he’s spent at least a dozen nights inside his shop keeping guard.
—Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
-
In a statement to local media, the town government said Fox Rothschild has long represented Rolesville and called the incident deeply disturbing.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
23 May 2026
-
In September 2016, economics professor Matthew Hendricks and some 3,000 other employees at the University of Tulsa received a disturbing email from the administration.—
Matt Schifrin,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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Ribeiro’s father never spoke about the difficult moments in his life as an immigrant in a tragic manner.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2026
-
Though long dead, Faith’s presence continues to haunt the estate, where dark secrets tied to her tragic past remain deeply embedded within the carriage house walls.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
28 May 2026
Adjective
-
While speaking to AZFamily, graduate Grace Reimer said the situation left her feeling uneasy.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
23 May 2026
-
The excellent and the ordinary coexist, but have an uneasy relationship.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
Verb
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The alerts were triggered by the severe thunderstorm moving through the area, alarming some residents who were unaware the city’s siren system now also goes off when a severe weather warning is issued by the National Weather Service.—
Gloria Casas,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
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Midway through my massage, the boat unmoored itself and set sail—setting off an initially alarming vibrating bed and whirring engine noise.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Once her own pregnancy began, stepping away from work initially felt unfamiliar and slightly unsettling.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
28 May 2026
-
On the opposite side, the Passion façade is stark, angular and unsettling by comparison, telling a very different part of the Christian story in a completely different visual language.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
And yes, there is the unfortunate elephant in the room.—
Pete Sweeney
May 22,
Kansas City Star,
22 May 2026
-
Now resupply is by motorbike, ground robot or drone or in the case of Russia, carried on the backs of unfortunate soldiers known as camels.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Adjective
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The best affordable pet products are ones that solve everyday annoyances—like odor, shedding, scratch damage, messy mealtimes or anxious behaviors.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
-
From grooming anxious puppies to overnight pet sitting, caring for pets on wedding days and looking after farm animals, a local pet services business is expanding its reach in the Northland later this year.—
Jenna Ebbers,
Kansas City Star,
23 May 2026
Verb
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Thankfully, The Great American Baking Show has two devilishly distracting hosts at hand to make sure the participants are juggling as many plates as possible.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
22 May 2026
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Shooting in the real homes, clubs and neighborhoods that birthed these characters strips away distracting artifice, allowing the slowburn emotional stakes to take over.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 30 May. 2026.
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