Distress: meaning, definitions and examples

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distress

 

[ dɪˈstrɛs ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

mental state

Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

Synonyms

agony, anguish, suffering

Examples of usage

  • She was in great distress over the news of her father's illness.
  • The refugees were in distress after losing their homes in the war.
Context #2 | Noun

financial

The state of being in great danger or difficulty, especially in relation to money.

Synonyms

difficulty, hardship, poverty

Examples of usage

  • The company is in financial distress and may have to declare bankruptcy.
  • Many families are facing economic distress due to the current recession.
Context #3 | Verb

action

To cause someone to feel extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

Synonyms

trouble, upset, worry

Examples of usage

  • The news of the accident distressed her greatly.
  • His sudden disappearance distressed his family and friends.

Translations

Translations of the word "distress" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aflição

🇮🇳 कष्ट

🇩🇪 Not

🇮🇩 kesusahan

🇺🇦 біда

🇵🇱 cierpienie

🇯🇵 苦痛 (くつう)

🇫🇷 détresse

🇪🇸 angustia

🇹🇷 sıkıntı

🇰🇷 고통 (고통)

🇸🇦 ضيق

🇨🇿 nesnáz

🇸🇰 trápenie

🇨🇳 痛苦 (tòngkǔ)

🇸🇮 stiska

🇮🇸 þjáning

🇰🇿 қасірет

🇬🇪 საჭიროება

🇦🇿 əziyyət

🇲🇽 angustia

Etymology

The word 'distress' originated from the Old French word 'destresse', which in turn came from the Latin 'districtus', meaning 'tightness' or 'narrowness'. Over time, the term evolved to encompass both mental and financial hardship, reflecting the various forms of distress humans experience.

See also: distressed, distressing, distressingly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #4,083, this word represents useful upper-intermediate vocabulary. Understanding and using it will help you express more complex ideas effectively.