distressful

[ dih-stres-fuhl ]

/ dɪˈstrɛs fəl /

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See synonyms for: distressful / distressfully on Thesaurus.com

adjective

causing or involving distress: the distressful circumstances of poverty and sickness.

full of, feeling, or indicating distress: a distressful cry.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of distressful

First recorded in 1585–95; distress + -ful

OTHER WORDS FROM distressful

dis·tress·ful·ly, adverbdis·tress·ful·ness, noun

Words nearby distressful

distress call, distressed, distressed area, distress flag, distress frequency, distressful, distress gun, distress merchandise, distress sale, distress signal, distributary

How to use distressful in a sentence

Hardly had he uttered these distressful exclamations when a prolonged note of melody caught his ear.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng
At the edge of a small field lying close to the road was a negro's cabin, and from that quarter came the dog's distressful outcry.
An Arkansas Planter|Opie Percival Read
Half-way down the walk he paused, picked up a snail that had crawled out upon the distressful sand.
Cursed|George Allan England
A cold dampness settled upon his forehead, his limbs trembled violently, and distressful sighs issued from his heaving breast.
Wild Western Scenes|John Beauchamp Jones

Their distressful needs are in danger of being left aside in the pressure of other worthy appeals for aid.
American Missionary - Volume 50, No. 3, March, 1896|Various