as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash
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Recent Examples of distraught
Fans were distraught last year when rumor spread that the two were beefing.
—
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 12 Feb. 2025
Israelis have also remained distraught over the fate of family and friends who have been held hostage since the October 2023 attack by Hamas.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
Kyoko returned to her father, but Cox became increasingly distraught that the rich and powerful pair would use their vast resources and influence to take his daughter away.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Veterinary clinics and animal shelters were overwhelmed as distraught owners brought their beloved companions to be put down.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Kieran Press-Reynolds, Pitchfork, 12 Feb. 2025
Israelis have also remained distraught over the fate of family and friends who have been held hostage since the October 2023 attack by Hamas.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Jan. 2025
Kyoko returned to her father, but Cox became increasingly distraught that the rich and powerful pair would use their vast resources and influence to take his daughter away.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 1 Feb. 2025
Veterinary clinics and animal shelters were overwhelmed as distraught owners brought their beloved companions to be put down.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
-
Zaitsev allegedly became agitated while the agents walked him through a hallway.—
City News Service,
Orange County Register,
26 Feb. 2025
-
Although Allen is best known for promulgating a certain set of character types in his classic films, his own bookish worrywart or Diane Keaton’s moodily anxious beauty, he also must be credited for seeing the comic possibilities of the altogether less agitated and more grounded Roberts.—
Peter Tonguette,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Given his fake news rhetoric, Trump is certainly not worried about media reports, traditionally a strong external check on presidential power.—
Sergei Klebnikov,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
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In my neighborhood, people are worried about rising costs of everything.—
Robin Holmes,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And this week, there’s a very nice sequence in which Matty walks a frightened Zoey, step-by-step, through what to expect when she gets arrested.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Igor tries to subdue Ani, who's frightened and enraged, kicking and screaming at the prospect of being separated from her new husband.—
Mandalit del Barco,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hearing this, a frantic and audibly panicked Cindy Anthony placed the now infamous call to the police.—
Aja Romano,
Vox,
4 Mar. 2025
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Last year was a stellar one for movies, but the Oscars banquet table can seat only so many contenders — bagging a nomination becomes a frantic game of musical chairs.—
Tom Gliatto,
People.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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And people who are scared are less likely to want to stay here.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
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For people fresh out of school, my advice as a lawyer is, don’t be scared to seek counsel but above all, don’t be scared to ask for things.—
Joelle Diderich,
WWD,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
And the charge Jones drew on Bogdan Bogdanović with 1:53 remaining set the table for the Bulls to attempt — and, ultimately, fail — to pull off the upset win.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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The flip side to that is that an upset loss to either would be a death blow.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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