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.

A distraught mother, Leila Matura, 52, said her 18-year-old daughter was still missing.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

To save money, she agreed to move her portfolio elsewhere, but she was genuinely distraught over the loss of what she believed was a friendship with the financial planner.

From MarketWatch • May 27, 2026

Claire Danes, “The Beast in Me” “Sarah Pidgeon made the most of a star-making role as Carolyn Bessette in ‘Love Story,’ and Sarah Snook ran the emotional gamut as ‘All Her Fault’s’ distraught mom.

From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026

Serrano, who has served in the military for nearly 28 years, told the BBC that his wife's detention had left him distraught.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Worried that Ang Dorje was so distraught that he might refuse to go down, Hutchison beseeched him to descend from the Col immediately.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

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