Word Explorer
Children's
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
Intermediate Dictionary
       

dis·tress

distress

 
 
pronunciation:
dih stres
parts of speech:
noun, verb
part of speech: noun
definition 1: worry, pain, or suffering, or anything that causes suffering.
Jim felt distress after his dog ran away.
synonyms:
affliction, anxiety, pain, suffering, trouble, worry
antonyms:
comfort
similar words:
agony, anguish, cross, difficulty, discomfort, dismay, grief, misery, sorrow, strain, straits, stress, tax, torment, torture, woe
definition 2: a state of great need or trouble.
A ship in distress radioed the coast guard.
synonyms:
trouble
antonyms:
well-being
similar words:
adversity, danger, difficulties, hardship, jeopardy, misery, misfortune, need, peril, straits
 
part of speech: verb
inflections: distresses, distressing, distressed
definition: to cause great worry or pain to; trouble greatly.
The news that their son needed surgery distressed them.
synonyms:
afflict, harrow, pain, trouble, worry
antonyms:
calm, comfort, please, relieve
similar words:
ail, bother, dismay, disturb, grieve, nag, sadden, strain, stress, tax, torment, upset
derivation: distressingly (adv.)