distress
noun
great pain, anxiety, or sorrow; acute physical or mental suffering; affliction; trouble.
were distressing
-
past progressiveof distress.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
She predicted that those cuts would save no money and were "distressing" for victims and everyone else involved in the system.
From BBC ● Nov. 26, 2024
The NSW DPI also said that the fish deaths were "distressing to the local community", a sentiment echoed by Mr McCrabb.
From BBC ● Mar. 17, 2023
Many of the accusations “might not reach the threshold for criminality,” but were distressing nevertheless, Jess Phillips, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour Party, told the BBC this week.
From New York Times ● Apr. 1, 2021
However, not all the scenes at Target were distressing.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 1, 2020
These walks were distressing to us both, yet he did not like to walk alone, and he had no other friend.
From Father and Son: a study of two temperaments by Edmund Gosse
