distress
noun
great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
distressing
-
present participleof distress.present participle
A verb form that is used in progressive verb constructions and may also function as a modifier or a gerund.
-
a word derived from
distress.
distressnoungreat pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
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.
An Army spokesperson called the reports "extremely distressing and serious".
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Yes, it’s weird and distressing, watching billionaires play catch with our ballclubs.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Those of us who regard the court as an essential institution find it particularly distressing how personal it often gets.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
The circumstances leading to Hilton’s distressing livestream and Pearl’s filmed execution are entirely dissimilar.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
Dearest Celie, I meant to write you in time for Easter, but it was not a good time for me and I did not want to burden you with any distressing news.
From "The Color Purple" by Alice Walker
