DISTRESSED • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Distressed

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/dɪstrˈɛst/ Listen

verb

Distress v. t. (past & past part. distressed; pres. part. distressing)

1.

To cause pain or anguish to; to pain; to oppress with calamity; to afflict; to harass; to make miserable. "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed."

2.

To compel by pain or suffering. "Men who can neither be distressed nor won into a sacrifice of duty."

3.

(Law) To seize for debt; to distrain.

Synonyms: To pain; grieve; harass; trouble; perplex; afflict; worry; annoy.

adjective

distressed adj.

1.

Facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty; as, distressed companies need loans and technical advice.

Synonyms: hard-pressed, hard put, in a bad way(predicate), in trouble(predicate).

2.

Experienceing a generalized feeling of distress. Also See: dejected, unhappy, sad. Antonym: euphoric.

Synonyms: dysphoric, unhappy.

3.

Suffering severe physical strain or discomfort; as, he dropped out of the race, clearly distressed and having difficulty breathing.

Synonyms: stressed, in a bad way(predicate).

4.

Emotionally upset.

Synonyms: unstrung.

See images of 'Distressed'

Etymology of 'Distressed'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Distressed" Quotes from Famous Books

... a steep ascent to the front door, "Lucy" fell, choked into unconsciousness by too tight a collar. My father jumped out, hastily got off the harness, and on perceiving the cause of the accident reproached himself vehemently for his carelessness and thoughtlessness. He was very much distressed at this accident, petted his mare, saying to her in soothing tones that he was ashamed of himself for having caused her all this pain after she had been ...

— Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee • Captain Robert E. Lee, His Son

... a close relationship between a cowman and his herds. My insight into cattle character exceeds my observation of the human family. Therefore I wish to confess my great love for the cattle of the fields. When hungry or cold, sick or distressed, they express themselves intelligently to my understanding, and when dangers of night and storm and stampede threaten their peace and serenity, they instinctively turn to the refuge of a human voice. When a herd was bedded at night, and wolves howled in the distance, the boys ...

— Reed Anthony, Cowman • Andy Adams

... riding among them, endeavoured by his words and gestures to re-animate their courage. Instead of a reply, they hung down their heads, or threw away their arms. "Then shoot me dead," exclaimed the distressed prince, "rather than let me live to see the sad consequences of this day." But his despair was as unavailing as had been his entreaties; and his friends admonished him to provide for his safety, for the enemy had already penetrated within ...

— The History of England from the First Invasion by the Romans - to the Accession of King George the Fifth - Volume 8 • John Lingard and Hilaire Belloc

... were to go outside among all the white snow, then surely you would find it light; just come with me, grandmother, and I will show you." Heidi took hold of the old woman's hand to lead her along, for she was beginning to feel quite distressed at the thought of ...

— Heidi • Johanna Spyri

... in order to rise to the apprehension of God, and a still more unwelcome strain on his moral nature to rise to the imitation of God. No wonder, then, if the dwellers on the low levels should cleave to them, and the pilgrims to the heights should often weary of their toil and be distressed with the difficulty of breathing the thin air up there, and should give up climbing and drop down to the flats ...

— Expositions of Holy Scripture - Isaiah and Jeremiah • Alexander Maclaren

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