distraught
Americanadjective
-
distracted; deeply agitated.
-
mentally deranged; crazed.
adjective
-
distracted or agitated
-
rare mad
Other Word Forms
- distraughtly adverb
- overdistraught adjective
- undistraught adjective
Etymology
Origin of distraught
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English variant of obsolete distract “distracted,” by association with straught, old past participle of stretch; distract
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.
The mother became visibly distraught as she recounted how she had helped fund Thierno's journey to Spain.
From Barron's
But where Erika Kirk went with the angry pose, Kolvet framed his criticism of Owens as pity, saying she’s “obviously distraught,” and suggesting she’s lost her mind.
From Salon
Just like other students at Brown University, she was distraught after receiving an active shooter alert from the university's department of public safety.
From BBC
In November 2021, the child confided the truth in a close friend, who recalled: "I asked if they felt guilty, they said yes - like this guilt had been bothering them. They were distraught."
From BBC
Amid the pandemonium, Cobolli comforted Bergs as his distraught opponent sat on the Belgium team bench with his head in his hands.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
