distraught

[dih-strawt] / dɪˈstrɔt /

ADJECTIVE

very upset, worked-up

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitated anxious concerned confused crazy distressed frantic hysterical mad perturbed tormented troubled

WEAK

addled beside oneself bothered crazed discomposed distracted distrait flustered harassed in a panic like a chicken with its head cut off muddled nonplussed nuts out of one's mind overwrought rattled raving shook-up thrown unglued unscrewed unzipped wild worried

Antonyms

STRONGEST

balanced calm collected composed cool happy peaceful reasonable sane sound unconcerned untroubled unworried

WEAK

gladdened pleased

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So with thoughtful invention, Ozon gives the distraught Djemila — the murdered Algerian’s sister, unnamed in the book — a voice to go with her ignored status.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Or should she support a distraught mother’s efforts to save her daughter?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

The deaths of her grandparents in quick succession left her so distraught — they had raised her — that she never finished her dissertation.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

"We were distraught at the start and now we are angry."

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

His face was tight and closed, but I could tell he was distraught.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

Vocabulary lists containing distraught

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