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.

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

The elderly Peggy invites the distraught traveler back to her welcoming old house to restore herself.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026

A distraught Wardley sank to his knees as Dubois celebrated capturing the WBO heavyweight title.

From BBC • May 9, 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

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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