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distress

dis·tress

distress

 
 
pronunciation:
dih stres
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb), Grammatical Patterns
part of speech: noun
definition 1: physical or emotional stress or suffering, or anything that causes suffering.
He's been experiencing distress since his wife died.The accident caused a great deal of distress for the whole family.
synonyms:
affliction, anxiety, pain, suffering, tribulation, trouble, worry
antonyms:
comfort, peace
similar words:
agony, angst, anguish, calamity, cross, desolation, difficulty, discomfort, dismay, distraction, dolor, grief, heartache, heartbreak, misery, sorrow, strain, straits, stress, tax, torment, torture, woe
definition 2: a state of extreme need or trouble.
In its second year, the company found itself in severe financial distress.The coast guard received a call from a ship in distress.
synonyms:
trouble
antonyms:
well-being
similar words:
adversity, danger, difficulties, hardship, jeopardy, misery, misfortune, need, peril, straits
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: distresses, distressing, distressed
definition 1: to cause stress or suffering in; worry or afflict.
The news that their son needed surgery distressed them terribly.It distresses me that you didn't tell me the truth about this.[it + verb + smby + that + clause ] It always distresses her when her father refuses to take his medicine.[it + verb + smby + when + clause ]
synonyms:
afflict, aggrieve, agonize, harrow, pain, trouble, worry
antonyms:
calm, comfort, please, relieve
similar words:
ail, anguish, bother, discomfort, dismay, disturb, grieve, lacerate, nag, perturb, sadden, strain, stress, tax, torment, upset, wrench
definition 2: to treat (wood surfaces or furniture) in order to age in appearance, as by denting or staining.
similar words:
age, antique
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivation: distressingly (adv.)