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distressing

  • present participle
    of distress.
    distress
    noun
    great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
  • a word derived from distress.
    distress
    noun
    great 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.

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"This is terrible and distressing news; our hearts go out to Hyron's family and the whole Lions rugby community," said Mark Alexander, president of the South African Rugby Union.

From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026

Rumination refers to repeatedly dwelling on distressing thoughts, worries, or negative experiences.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 9, 2026

Clancy's trial, which featured more than 80 witnesses and days of distressing testimony, sparked debate in the United States over maternal mental health.

From Barron's ● Sep. 29, 2026

And in the opening line of his latest book—his 54th—he makes a distressing revelation.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 25, 2026

“That’s a bit vague. I’m sure you can be more specific. What could this ‘friend’s’ father have mentioned that would’ve been so distressing to Mr. Rivers, he’d no longer feel up to hiking?”

From "Dear Martin" by Nic Stone