Distress
noun
A feeling of extreme worry, sadness, or pain.
She was in great distress at the news of her husband's death.
Often appears as...
- in distress
- great distress
verb
To make someone feel very worried or unhappy.
It distressed him to see his wife so upset.
Often appears as...
- distressed by
- distressed about
noun
A situation in which you are in danger or difficulty and need help.
A distress signal/flare/call
Often appears as...
- distress signal
- distress flare
adjective
Having small holes, marks, or wrinkles, usually as a part of a design.
I love these distressed jeans; they're part of the new fashion trend.
Often appears as...
- distressed jeans
- distressed leather
Usage tips
Modern
noun
The seizure of someone's property to force payment of, or as retribution for, unpaid debts.
They served him with a distress for the unpaid rents.
Often appears as...
- serve a distress
- distress for rent
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
noun
A feeling of extreme worry, sadness, or pain.
She was in great distress at the news of her husband's death.
Often appears as...
- in distress
- great distress
verb
To make someone feel very worried or unhappy.
It distressed him to see his wife so upset.
Often appears as...
- distressed by
- distressed about
noun
A situation in which you are in danger or difficulty and need help.
A distress signal/flare/call
Often appears as...
- distress signal
- distress flare
adjective
Having small holes, marks, or wrinkles, usually as a part of a design.
I love these distressed jeans; they're part of the new fashion trend.
Often appears as...
- distressed jeans
- distressed leather
Usage tips
Modern
noun
The seizure of someone's property to force payment of, or as retribution for, unpaid debts.
They served him with a distress for the unpaid rents.
Often appears as...
- serve a distress
- distress for rent
Usage tips
Formal
Technical
Definition 1 of 5
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Distress conveys strong negative emotions, more than general sadness.
She experienced deep distress after losing her job.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical Pain
Use 'distress' for emotional pain, not physical injury unless emotions are involved.
The cancellation of the trip caused him considerable distress.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Issues
'Distress' is usually related to serious problems, not minor inconveniences.
The looming bankruptcy put the family in distress.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Distress conveys strong negative emotions, more than general sadness.
She experienced deep distress after losing her job.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical Pain
Use 'distress' for emotional pain, not physical injury unless emotions are involved.
The cancellation of the trip caused him considerable distress.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Issues
'Distress' is usually related to serious problems, not minor inconveniences.
The looming bankruptcy put the family in distress.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Intensity
Distress conveys strong negative emotions, more than general sadness.
She experienced deep distress after losing her job.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Physical Pain
Use 'distress' for emotional pain, not physical injury unless emotions are involved.
The cancellation of the trip caused him considerable distress.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Issues
'Distress' is usually related to serious problems, not minor inconveniences.
The looming bankruptcy put the family in distress.
Compare with
afflictionagonyanguishgriefmiserysuffertormenttraumatizationtroubleturmoilwoe
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Video examples
How big is infinity? -...
My fourth grade teacher showed us the whole numbers laid out in a row, and below each we have its double. As you can see, the bottom row contains all the even numbers, and we have a one-to-one match. That is, there are as many even numbers as there are numbers. But what still bothers us is our distress over the fact that even numbers seem to be only part of the whole numbers.
Video examples
Elephants Being...
They perform consolation behaviour, reassuring others in distress through soothing vocalisations and comforting gestures with their trunks. They also help each other in times of need and even appear to mourn the death of friends and family just like humans. These behaviours can be seen in close-knit elephant families,
Video examples
How do dogs "see" with...
In some of the best examples of canine-human collaboration, dogs help us by sharing and reacting to those stories. They can respond with kindness to people in distress, or with aggression to threats because stress and anger manifest as a cloud of hormones recognizable to the dog's nose. With the proper training,
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
there is no greater honor or privilege than facilitating that process of healing for someone, to bear witness, to reach out a hand, to share the burden of someone's suffering, and to hold the hope for their recovery. And likewise, for survivors of distress and adversity,
Video examples
The sonic boom problem -...
with a thunder-like noise known as a sonic boom, which can cause distress to people and animals below or even damage buildings. For this reason, scientists around the world have been looking at sonic booms, trying to predict their path in the atmosphere,
Video examples
Why do we feel...
Studies have shown that inducing nostalgia in people can help increase their feelings of self-esteem and social belonging, encourage psychological growth, and even make them act more charitably. So rather than being a cause of mental distress,
Video examples
The Many Gods of the...
the family the family each family has got one family deity and that is passed on to the next generation or sometimes in the times of distress one goes to a God and say or goddess that peace take me out of this difficult times and
Video examples
A host of heroes - April...
So many people in distress have said this, but why? What kind of hero do we need and do we even really even need a hero at all? Well, if you look at any piece of literature written for page, script, or stage, the answer is yes!
Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
People affected have little or no control over their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, which tend to be time consuming and interfere with work, school or social life to the point of causing significant distress.
Video examples
Neglect in child-care...
dyrus eye contact she could not stand being moved touched or help and would begin to moan and bite on her wrist in her distress he's all very different now she now loves being
Video examples
How big is infinity? -...
My fourth grade teacher showed us the whole numbers laid out in a row, and below each we have its double. As you can see, the bottom row contains all the even numbers, and we have a one-to-one match. That is, there are as many even numbers as there are numbers. But what still bothers us is our distress over the fact that even numbers seem to be only part of the whole numbers.
Video examples
Elephants Being...
They perform consolation behaviour, reassuring others in distress through soothing vocalisations and comforting gestures with their trunks. They also help each other in times of need and even appear to mourn the death of friends and family just like humans. These behaviours can be seen in close-knit elephant families,
Video examples
How do dogs "see" with...
In some of the best examples of canine-human collaboration, dogs help us by sharing and reacting to those stories. They can respond with kindness to people in distress, or with aggression to threats because stress and anger manifest as a cloud of hormones recognizable to the dog's nose. With the proper training,
Video examples
The voices in my head PIPE...
there is no greater honor or privilege than facilitating that process of healing for someone, to bear witness, to reach out a hand, to share the burden of someone's suffering, and to hold the hope for their recovery. And likewise, for survivors of distress and adversity,
Video examples
The sonic boom problem -...
with a thunder-like noise known as a sonic boom, which can cause distress to people and animals below or even damage buildings. For this reason, scientists around the world have been looking at sonic booms, trying to predict their path in the atmosphere,
Video examples
Why do we feel...
Studies have shown that inducing nostalgia in people can help increase their feelings of self-esteem and social belonging, encourage psychological growth, and even make them act more charitably. So rather than being a cause of mental distress,
Video examples
The Many Gods of the...
the family the family each family has got one family deity and that is passed on to the next generation or sometimes in the times of distress one goes to a God and say or goddess that peace take me out of this difficult times and
Video examples
A host of heroes - April...
So many people in distress have said this, but why? What kind of hero do we need and do we even really even need a hero at all? Well, if you look at any piece of literature written for page, script, or stage, the answer is yes!
Video examples
Debunking the myths of...
People affected have little or no control over their obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors, which tend to be time consuming and interfere with work, school or social life to the point of causing significant distress.
Video examples
Neglect in child-care...
dyrus eye contact she could not stand being moved touched or help and would begin to moan and bite on her wrist in her distress he's all very different now she now loves being
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Princess Diana
British Royalty
Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life - a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.
Quote examples
Kate Garraway
English Journalist
Being pregnant changes your body image. You watch your stomach expand. If that happened without being pregnant you'd be in deep distress! But because you're excited about what's going to happen, you view yourself differently.
Quote examples
James Nachtwey
American Photographer
If you want to connect with people who are in distress and great grief and scared, you need to do it in a certain way. I move kind of slow. I talk kind of slow. I let them know that I respect them.
Quote examples
Joseph Butler
English Clergyman
Pain and sorrow and misery have a right to our assistance: compassion puts us in mind of the debt, and that we owe it to ourselves as well as to the distressed.
Quote examples
Penelope Wilton
English Actress
People in distress behave in a stressful way. They aren't all sweetness and light. They don't behave well when they are unhappy. That's just what I've observed.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
Policemen are seldom tried for their crimes, or indeed, held responsible for what they do, which disturbs the peace and causes distress among the orderly.
Quote examples
Milan Kundera
Czechoslovakian Writer
Without realizing it, the individual composes his life according to the laws of beauty even in times of greatest distress.
Quote examples
Sharad Pawar
Indian Politician
If prices drop, we have to protect farmers from distress; if prices rise, we should be ready to pay market rates.
Quote examples
Ian Mcewan
British Author
I want to live in a place where strangers rush to help someone in distress.
Quote examples
Joseph B. Wirthlin
American Businessman
Financial problems cause distress and loss of self-respect.
Quote examples
Princess Diana
British Royalty
Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life - a kind of destiny. Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.
Quote examples
Kate Garraway
English Journalist
Being pregnant changes your body image. You watch your stomach expand. If that happened without being pregnant you'd be in deep distress! But because you're excited about what's going to happen, you view yourself differently.
Quote examples
James Nachtwey
American Photographer
If you want to connect with people who are in distress and great grief and scared, you need to do it in a certain way. I move kind of slow. I talk kind of slow. I let them know that I respect them.
Quote examples
Joseph Butler
English Clergyman
Pain and sorrow and misery have a right to our assistance: compassion puts us in mind of the debt, and that we owe it to ourselves as well as to the distressed.
Quote examples
Penelope Wilton
English Actress
People in distress behave in a stressful way. They aren't all sweetness and light. They don't behave well when they are unhappy. That's just what I've observed.
Quote examples
Gore Vidal
American Novelist
Policemen are seldom tried for their crimes, or indeed, held responsible for what they do, which disturbs the peace and causes distress among the orderly.
Quote examples
Milan Kundera
Czechoslovakian Writer
Without realizing it, the individual composes his life according to the laws of beauty even in times of greatest distress.
Quote examples
Sharad Pawar
Indian Politician
If prices drop, we have to protect farmers from distress; if prices rise, we should be ready to pay market rates.
Quote examples
Ian Mcewan
British Author
I want to live in a place where strangers rush to help someone in distress.
Quote examples
Joseph B. Wirthlin
American Businessman
Financial problems cause distress and loss of self-respect.
Example 1 of 10
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