Distressful: meaning, definitions and examples

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distressful

 

[ dɪsˈtrɛs.fəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

emotional state

Distressful describes a state or condition that causes emotional suffering or anxiety. It is often used to convey a sense of deep concern or worry that someone may experience due to various circumstances.

Synonyms

disturbing, painful, troubling, upsetting.

Examples of usage

  • The distressful news left everyone in shock.
  • She found the distressful situation hard to cope with.
  • Watching the distressful scenes on the news was overwhelming.

Translations

Translations of the word "distressful" in other languages:

🇵🇹 angustiante

🇮🇳 परेशान करने वाला

🇩🇪 nervend

🇮🇩 menyusahkan

🇺🇦 тривожний

🇵🇱 niepokojący

🇯🇵 苦痛を伴う

🇫🇷 angoissant

🇪🇸 angustiante

🇹🇷 rahatsız edici

🇰🇷 고통스러운

🇸🇦 مؤلم

🇨🇿 znepokojivý

🇸🇰 znepokojujúci

🇨🇳 痛苦的

🇸🇮 zaskrbljujoč

🇮🇸 óþægilegur

🇰🇿 қамықтырғыш

🇬🇪 დამღლელი

🇦🇿 narahat edən

🇲🇽 estresante

Etymology

The word 'distressful' is derived from the root 'distress,' which originates from the Latin 'dīstressus,' meaning 'to be in trouble' or 'to be under pressure.' The prefix 'dis-' signifies a negative or reversal aspect, while 'stress' comes from the Old French 'destresse,' which means 'to bind' or 'to tighten.' This evolution reflects the term's connotation of emotional or physical strain. First recorded in English during the early 19th century, 'distressful' has maintained its meaning, emphasizing the feelings of discomfort or suffering. The term has been used in literature and psychology to describe experiences that evoke strong negative emotions, reinforcing the concept that certain experiences can profoundly affect mental well-being.