Distraught Meaning and Definition
Distraught
Pronunciation
/ˈdrɪstrɔːt/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Distraught (adjective): Extremely upset, distressed, or unhappy; agitated.
Examples
- She was distraught after hearing the news of her grandmother’s passing.
- The distraught tourist was lost in the city.
Synonyms
- Agitated
- Distressed
- Frantic
Antonyms
- Happy
- Calm
- Relaxed
Etymology
The word ‘distraught’ is derived from the Old French word ‘destraire,’ meaning ‘to disturb or disperse.’
Usage Notes
The word ‘distraught’ is commonly used to describe a person’s emotional state in response to a challenging or unpleasant situation. For example:
- ‘She is distraught after her divorce.’
- ‘The tourist was distraught in the airport after learning his flight was delayed.’
Cultural References
The word ‘distraught’ appears in various forms of media, including:
- ‘Anna Karenina’ by Leo Tolstoy, where the character Kitty is described as ‘distraught.’
- ‘The Twilight Zone’ episode ‘The Invaders,’ where the main character is depicted as being ‘distraught’ after her encounter with the alien intruders.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
The word ‘distraught’ is also used in idiomatic expressions, such as:
- ‘To be at one’s wit’s end’ (i.e., to be extremely upset or distressed).
- ‘To be on edge’ (i.e., to feel anxious or uneasy).
Related Words or Phrases
The following words or phrases are related to ‘distraught’ in meaning or usage:
- Livid
- Appalled
- Distressed
- Unsettled
Collocations
The following words or phrases are commonly used in combination with ‘distraught’:
- ‘She was distraught and broken-hearted after the breakup.’ (breakup)
- ‘The distraught tourist was unable to find his way back to the hotel.’ (tourist)
Frequency of Use
The word ‘distraught’ is commonly used in modern language to describe a person’s emotional state. Its usage has increased over time due to its versatility and specificity in conveying the intensity of emotions.
Common Misspellings
The following words are commonly misspelled as ‘distraught’:
- ‘distraughted’
- ‘distraughtedly’
- ‘distraughtly’
Additional Information
The word ‘distraught’ is often used in combination with other words to convey a sense of intensity or severity. For example:
- ‘She was completely distraught after the breakup.’ (completely)
- ‘The distraught tourist was extremely frustrated with the airport staff.’ (extremely)
The word ‘distraught’ can also be used in different contexts to convey a sense of emotional state, such as:
- ‘The distraught look on her face was evident in the photo.’ (photo)
- ‘The distraught reaction of the crowd was evident in the video.’ (video)
Finally, the word ‘distraught’ can be used to describe the emotional state of someone who is experiencing a traumatic or distressing event, such as:
- ‘The distraught survivor was unable to speak after the accident.’ (accident)
- ‘The distraught family members were at a loss for words after receiving the news.’ (news)