distress
noun
great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
are distressing
-
present progressiveof distress.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
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.
We can think of many things in Washington that are distressing, but we can’t sue to stop them.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
He described Plumb's plans as "horrifying", adding: "They are distressing even for seasoned professionals to read."
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2025
Maxwell, of Rady Children’s Hospital, said that though the survey results are distressing, he also feels optimism that things can improve.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 30, 2022
They are distressing for optimists who hope for a better future and depressing for believers in shared liberal values of decency, human rights and tolerance.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 18, 2019
Its tawdry staginess, its "Sadler's Wells sarcasm," its constant striving after strong effects, are distressing to good taste.
From Collections and Recollections by George William Erskine Russell
