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.

On the night of the fall, Herring's mother made a distraught 999 call to summon emergency services.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

Thompson’s Barkley comforted a distraught faux-Bondi by saying she could have a future in sports.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The troubles reached a crescendo during the live finale when a distraught Tran revealed that the man she had chosen as her husband-to-be, Devin Strader, had ended their engagement a month before the broadcast.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Hilda witnesses the crime and is so distraught that her moral certitude temporarily deserts her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026

The Wergins were distraught that something so terrible could happen to their son.

From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple

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