What does distress mean Meaning and Definition
What Does Distress Mean
Pronunciation
/dɪˈstrɛs/
Part of Speech
Noun, Verb
Definition
A state of suffering, anxiety, or worry; a feeling of being upset or troubled; to cause someone to feel this way.
Examples
- The news of the natural disaster caused widespread distress to the community.
- She felt distress from the pain and discomfort.
- The harsh weather conditions distressed the animals.
Synonyms
- Agony
- Pain
- Anxiety
- Unease
Antonyms
- Ease
- Serenity
- Comfort
Etymology
The word “distress” comes from Old French “distreier”, which is derived from the Latin “distrahere”, meaning “to draw apart” or “to tear asunder”.
Usage Notes
In British English, “distress” often refers to a state of extreme need or suffering, whereas in American English, it typically means a state of anxiety or worry.
Cultural References
In literature and film, “distress” is often used to describe the emotional state of characters in situations of turmoil or crisis.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- In distress
- Send out distress signals
- Make someone feel distressed
Related Words or Phrases
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Agony
- Suffering
Collocations
- Feel distress
- In distress
- Causing distress
- Distress calls
Frequency of Use
According to the Corpus of Contemporary American English, “distress” is used approximately 1,300 times per million words.
Common Misspellings
- Distresss
- Distress’d