Vocab Dictionary

distressing Definition and Meaning

Pronunciation: /dɪˈstrɛsɪŋ/

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions of distressing

  1. 1. causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain; upsetting.

    Example: The news of the accident was distressing to everyone involved.

Synonyms for distressing

Antonyms for distressing

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'distressus', the past participle of 'distere', meaning to draw apart or to stretch out.

Examples of distressing in a Sentence

  • The distressing images from the disaster left a lasting impact.
  • She found the movie's portrayal of loss to be particularly distressing.
  • His distressing behavior raised concerns among his friends.
  • The distressing news report prompted a call to action.
  • It was a distressing experience that she would never forget.

Phrases Using distressing

distressing situation
a scenario that causes significant emotional pain or discomfort.
distressing news
information that causes sadness or anxiety.
distressing thoughts
thoughts that provoke worry or emotional turmoil.

Word Forms

present Participle
distressing

Usage

region
universal
formality
neutral
frequency
common

Related Words

Words That Rhyme with distressing