1
as in troubled
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2
as in depressed
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Dissimilar Words
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distressed
Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In the months leading up to Wednesday’s agreement, Brink said, tenants led a march to Raytown City Hall, showed up en masse to residents’ eviction court hearings and invited Congressman Emanuel Cleaver to tour distressed units within the building.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distressed
Adjective
Performance Rug Messes are inevitable — that’s why this traditional rug with a distressed pattern is ideal for busy homes with kids and pets.
—Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
In the months leading up to Wednesday’s agreement, Brink said, tenants led a march to Raytown City Hall, showed up en masse to residents’ eviction court hearings and invited Congressman Emanuel Cleaver to tour distressed units within the building.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
Ukrainian drone operators were reportedly distressed at having to kill horses, but have apparently adopted new tactics.
—David Hambling, Forbes.com, 7 Jan. 2026
For some with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), they may be distressed by the prospect of germs or how foods are prepared.
—Dr. Ellen S. Rome, Boston Herald, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressed
Adjective
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Still, the Bahamian trade route, which began picking up steam in the early months of 2025, has become a key piece of California’s troubled supply chain.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Still, the Bahamian trade route, which began picking up steam in the early months of 2025, has become a key piece of California’s troubled supply chain.—
Will Kubzansky,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Our bull thesis was based on the stock’s price-to-earnings multiple re-rating higher from a depressed valuation after the spin.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The latter initially presents in Ferrari yellow until its depressed into the central console, at which point the key turns black, the top of the glass shifter turns yellow, and all the instrumentation activates.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Officials across the country received the invitation, which has alarmed some of its recipients, according to numerous media outlets.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
-
My behavior may have alarmed my roommates.—
Ivy Nelson,
Pitchfork,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Dickinson appeared somewhere between perturbed and seething.—
Phil Thompson,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The study was conducted in a lab, where participants had never slept before, which could have also disturbed their sleep.—
Kaan Ozcan,
NBC news,
4 Feb. 2026
-
If the dirt is disturbed the next day, the den is occupied.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
According to court documents, Shadbar became agitated and threatened to kill the family, using a racist slur in his threats, presumably directed at Robertson’s sons who are Black.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Feb. 2026
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To their credit, some gun-rights supporters did get agitated over this kerfuffle.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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They were seen by the clergy, for example, to be distracted by chocolate, drinking it and gossiping instead of paying attention to mass.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
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Yet, the brooms are out, and the cleanup has begun in earnest, creating a sense that NASCAR pushed away the off-track drama that has distracted the league.—
Jordan Bianchi,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That’s because reduced fluid intake can temporarily shrink brain tissue—particularly the parts of the brain that regulate pain—while also affecting electrolyte balance.—
Katharine Gammon,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
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Complete rest, when it isn’t warranted, can lead to stiffness, strength loss and reduced coordination.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Distressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressed. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
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