Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense distresses, present participle distressing, past tense, past participle distressed
1. uncountable noun
Distress is a state of extreme sorrow, suffering, or pain.
Jealousy causes distress and painful emotions.
Her mouth grew stiff with pain and distress.
Synonyms: suffering, pain, worry, anxiety More Synonyms of distress
2. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
Distress is the state of being in extreme danger and needing urgent help.
He expressed concern that the ship might be in distress.
The constable received a distress call, and saw two youths attacking his colleague.
Synonyms: danger, risk, difficulty, peril More Synonyms of distress
3. verb
If someone or something distresses you, they cause you to be upset or worried.
The idea of Toni being in danger distresses him enormously. [VERB noun]
I did not want to frighten or distress the horse. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: upset, worry, trouble, pain More Synonyms of distress
More Synonyms of distress
distress in British English
(dɪˈstrɛs)
verb(transitive)
1.
to cause mental pain to; upset badly
2. (usually passive)
to subject to financial or other trouble
3.
to damage (esp furniture), as by scratching or denting it, in order to make it appear older than it is
4. law a less common word for distrain
5. archaic
to compel
noun
6.
mental pain; anguish
7.
the act of distressing or the state of being distressed
8.
physical or financial trouble
9. in distress
10. law
a.
the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of or in satisfaction of a debt, claim, etc; distraint
b.
the property thus seized
c. US
(as modifier)
distress merchandise
Derived forms
distressful (disˈtressful)
adjective
distressfully (disˈtressfully)
adverb
distressfulness (disˈtressfulness)
noun
distressing (disˈtressing)
adjective, noun
distressingly (disˈtressingly)
adverb
Word origin
C13: from Old French destresse distress, via Vulgar Latin, from Latin districtus divided in mind; see distrain
distress in American English
(dɪˈstrɛs)
verb transitive
1.
to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; pain
2.
to cause discomfort to; trouble
3.
to exhaust or weaken with strain of any sort
4. Archaic
to constrain (to do something)
5. Law
to distrain
noun
6.
the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc.
7.
anything that distresses; affliction
8.
a state of danger or trouble; bad straits
9. Law
a.
distraint
b.
the property distrained
SYNONYMY NOTE: distress implies mental or physical strain imposed by pain, trouble, worry, or the like andusually suggests a state or situation that can be relieved [distress caused by famine]; suffering stresses the actual enduring of pain, distress, or tribulation [the suffering of the wounded]; agony suggests mental or physical torment so excruciating that the body or mind is convulsedwith the force of it [in mortal agony]; anguish has equal force but is more often applied to acute mental suffering [the anguish of despair]
Derived forms
distressing (disˈtressing)
adjective
distressingly (disˈtressingly)
adverb
Word origin
ME distressen < OFr destrecier, orig., to constrain (to do something) < destrece, constraint < ML destrescia < L districtus, pp. of distringere: see distrain
Examples of 'distress' in a sentence
distress
We do not wish to profit from a film that has demonstrably caused great distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We are sorry for any offence and distress this has caused.
The Sun (2016)
We are happy to clarify this and apologise for the distress caused.
The Sun (2016)
He said no one had yet complained that the course has caused them distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The force has apologised for the failings in the investigation and the distress and anguish that this has caused.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
At the most extreme end this has led to deaths; in a broader way it has led to prolonged physical and mental distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
He said:'The distress and turmoil caused by the fraud was immense and has been life changing.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A spokesman said:'This arrest should act as a clear warning to others who are actively seeking to cause distress and potentially harm others.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All this has definitely reduced unemployment and avoided much financial distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Where she succeeds brilliantly is in her handling of the recurring theme of mental distress.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
We greatly regret the distress this has caused him.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What he did caused distress and upset to so many people.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The first rescue craft did not arrive on the scene until well after the distress calls.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The answer to pain and distress is pain control and proper holistic care.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It would only be giving trouble and distress.
Jane Austen Emma (1815)
The anguish and emotional distress which she must be suffering is unimaginable.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Symptoms of mental distress can be the external sign of such a conflict.
Knowles, Jane Know Your Own Mind (1991)
This distress is a cause of deep regret.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We are sorry for any upset or distress.
The Sun (2014)
Officials said there was no indication of the pilot making a distress call.
The Sun (2015)
Surely no one in such physical distress could win a race.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
These incidents tend to be regarded as "good fun" despite the genuine danger and distress involved.
Stanko, Elizabeth Everyday Violence (1990)
The industry has also established a charter to promote more responsible lending and help people who get into financial distress.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The daily goodbyes are said to upset the whole family and he has told probation officers it causes her extreme distress.
The Sun (2009)
It doesn't get more serious than that and could cause unnecessary anguish and distress.
The Sun (2015)
He said: 'We apologise for the concern and distress that this may have caused.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Signs of health and disease Owning a horse is a major responsibility accompanied by pleasures, chores and its times of trouble and distress.
Eccles, Lesley Your First Horse - buying, feeding, caring (1989)
In other languages
distress
British English: distress NOUN
Distress is a state of extreme sorrow, suffering, or pain.
Jealousy causes distress and painful emotions.
American English: distress
Brazilian Portuguese: aflição
Chinese: 悲痛
European Spanish: angustia
French: détresse
German: Verzweiflung
Italian: angoscia
Japanese: 悲嘆
Korean: 고뇌
European Portuguese: aflição
Latin American Spanish: angustia
British English: distress VERB
If someone or something distresses you, they cause you to be upset or worried.
The idea of her being in danger distresses him enormously.
American English: distress
Brazilian Portuguese: afligir
Chinese: 使...苦恼
European Spanish: afligir
French: affliger
German: Sorge bereiten
Italian: angosciare
Japanese: 苦しめる
Korean: 괴롭히다
European Portuguese: afligir
Latin American Spanish: afligir
All related terms of 'distress'
in distress
(of a ship, aircraft, etc) in dire need of help
distress call
a call to authorities notifying them of a person, vehicle or vessel requiring emergency services
distress sale
a sale of distress merchandise
distress rocket
a rocket fired from a ship to warn others nearby that it is in distress
distress signal
a signal by radio , Very light, etc from a ship or other vessel in need of immediate assistance
distress merchandise
goods sold at reduced prices in order to pay overdue debts , etc
respiratory distress syndrome
an acute lung disease of the newborn , occurring primarily in premature babies and babies born to ill mothers, characterized by rapid breathing , flaring of the nostrils , inelastic lungs, edema of the extremities , and in some cases the formation of a hyaline membrane on the lungs caused by a lack of surfactant in the immature lung tissue
acute respiratory distress syndrome
a life-threatening respiratory condition in which trauma to the lungs leads to inflammation, rapid accumulation of fluid in the alveoli , a decrease in the amount of oxygen in the blood, and respiratory distress