distress
Meaning
To cause someone to experience severe emotional or mental suffering, often resulting from adverse circumstances or overwhelming challenges; it can also refer to the state of being in such a condition, highlighting the profound impact on an individual's ps
💡 While "distress" is often used in both emotional and physical contexts, in academic discourse, it is crucial to specify the type of distress being addressed to avoid ambiguity, as it may pertain to psychological, social, or economic factors.
Example Sentences
Word in Context
After
a
long
day
at
the
office
,
Maria
opened
an
email
that
explained
her
interview
had
been
postponed
.
The
sudden
notice
would
distress
her
,
because
she
had
already
rearranged
her
travel
and
childcare
plans
.
She
sat
on
the
sofa
and
breathed
deeply
to
steady
herself
,
making
a
quick
list
of
what
needed
attention
.
A
neighbour
saw
her
through
the
window
and
knocked
,
offering
to
take
the
children
for
an
hour
and
to
check
alternative
travel
options
.
Once
the
immediate
problems
were
solved
,
she
felt
calmer
and
began
composing
a
polite
reply
to
propose
new
dates
.
Common Phrases
inflict distress
alleviate distress
in a state of distress
Synonyms
Related Words
Never forget "distress"
Set a daily goal, reinforce with word cards and games, and track your progress in the Vocab5000 app — learn every C1 level word permanently with our science-based repetition system.
