1
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressful period during which we waited to learn who had made the cut
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2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressful living conditions in the refugee camp
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Recent Examples of distressful
And yet behind the distressful scene, a young man continues to butcher an animal.
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Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote for the Roe-affirming majority in 1973, included a brief list of the potential detriments of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term: Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.
—Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022
The definition of trauma is anything distressful.
—Julia M. Chan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
But the results, Mr. Chancellor observes, were not as distressful for the rich as a medieval canonist might have hoped.
—Adam Rowe, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022
Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 27 Mar. 2024
Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn.
—Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024
Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote for the Roe-affirming majority in 1973, included a brief list of the potential detriments of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term: Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.
—Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022
The definition of trauma is anything distressful.
—Julia M. Chan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022
But the results, Mr. Chancellor observes, were not as distressful for the rich as a medieval canonist might have hoped.
—Adam Rowe, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressful
Adjective
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But the series also revealed an uneasy disconnect between the British public and the media.Katie Marie Davies, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Dec. 2024
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Sinner and Alcaraz have had some superb matches – the China Open was one ATP tour final for the ages – but there's an uneasy chasm to jump between the end of the Big Four Era and the wave of Next Gen talent.Tim Ellis, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The coroner’s report into the death of British TV doctor Michael Mosley has revealed further details into the tragic final moments of the popular presenter and writer on a Greek island holiday.Caroline Frost, Deadline, 22 Dec. 2024
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The new Metropolis Cinema location is located in Beirut’s Mar Mikhael district right across from where the tragic Beirut port blast occurred on Aug. 4, 2020 — one of the biggest non-nuclear explosions ever recorded — in which more than 200 people died.Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 21 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The most disturbing thing about the Red Wings’ place in the standings is not merely their win/loss totals.Max Bultman, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
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Jacob Cockcroft finds that one of the most disturbing parts of the case.Kyani Reid, NBC News, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Again, this is an unfortunate part of football, the injuries that happen.Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 2024
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Nicholas Hoult's Thomas Hutter, the unfortunate real estate agent trapped in Orlok's castle, finds his client sleeping in his sarcophagus, at which point the cat's out of the bag, and the monster comes fully into the light.Nick Romano, EW.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Unexpected expenses due to project complexities or vendor limitations can lead to tense conversations and project stalls.Ashar Samdani, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
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During the preliminary round, the two teams played in a tense battle that needed overtime for just one goal, which Team USA won 1-0.Shayna Goldman, The Athletic, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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And Robert Zemeckis' 2009 take featuring Jim Carrey is noteworthy for a few reasons: Not only are the ghosts downright terrifying, but the animation style is also unsettling, and may scare you for all the wrong reasons.Huntley Woods, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
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In addition to this unsettling experience, Robbins shared with Newsweek a moment of unexpected kindness during her return flight.Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Glumly marching to the stage, Wallen appears to tune out the anxious producer’s notes about looking at the camera and remembering to smile.Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 31 Dec. 2024
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In contrast, those with anxious attachment styles may become overly focused on caregiving as a way to gain approval or security in the relationship.Mark Travers, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The man who appears in her cozy home is reserved and nervous (he’s played by H. Jon Benjamin, offering the rare and welcome dramatic turn for the comedian and voice actor).Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025
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There was a nervous wait before David broke the news that Ten Hag was being kept on and then Laurie and Adam launched their big read with some remarkable details of the talks the club had held with other managers before deciding to stick with Ten Hag.The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near distressful
Cite this Entry
“Distressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressful. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.
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