distressed

[dih-strest] / dɪˈstrɛst /

ADJECTIVE

upset

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afflicted agitated anxious distraught jittery miffed perturbed shaky troubled

STRONG

bothered bugged concerned discombobulated distracted dragged exercised harassed peeved ripped saddened shook spooked tormented wired worried wrecked

WEAK

all torn up antsy basket case bummed out bundle of nerves cut up disconsolate distrait fidgety hyper in a stew in a tizzy inconsolable jumpy shook-up shot down strung-out unconsolable unglued up the wall uptight wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm cool happy peaceful pleased untroubled

STRONG

unworried

WEAK

collected comforted glad joyful

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.

The distressed locals approached Valdez with cellphone videos they’d taken of the act.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 29, 2026

“I was distressed that the sacred space of trust that I so carefully cultivated with each patient was being breached by the institution without my knowledge or assent,” she wrote.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 24, 2026

"I have found a flaw. I don't know how significant or permanent it is. But I have been very distressed by that fact."

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

In research published in the journal Science this month, she and Natalia Emanuel and Amanda Pallais presented evidence that remote work has made Americans lonelier and more mentally distressed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

The only time Malcolm had seen Sister Benedicta distressed was when he’d asked her about it one day.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman

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