1 distress | Definition of distress
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distress

noun
dis·​tress | \ di-ˈstres How to pronounce distress (audio) \

Definition of distress

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 law

a : seizure and detention of the goods of another as pledge (see pledge entry 1 sense 1) or to obtain satisfaction of a claim by the sale of the goods seized
b : something that is distrained
2a : pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind : trouble gastric distress The patient showed no obvious signs of distress. severe emotional distress voiced their distress over the delays
b : a painful situation : misfortune
3 : a state of danger or desperate need a ship in distress

distress

verb
distressed; distressing; distresses

Definition of distress (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to subject to great strain or difficulties homes distressed by poverty
2 archaic : to force or overcome by inflicting pain
3 : to cause to worry or be troubled : upset don't let the news distress you
4 : to mar (something, such as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect of age a distressed table distressed jeans

distress

adjective

Definition of distress (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : offered for sale at a loss distress merchandise
2 : involving distress goods a distress sale
Other Words from distress Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about distress

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Other Words from distress

Verb

distressingly \ di-​ˈstre-​siÅ‹-​lÄ“ How to pronounce distressingly (audio) \ adverb

Choose the Right Synonym for distress

Noun

distress, suffering, misery, agony mean the state of being in great trouble. distress implies an external and usually temporary cause of great physical or mental strain and stress. the hurricane put everyone in great distress suffering implies conscious endurance of pain or distress. the suffering of famine victims misery stresses the unhappiness attending especially sickness, poverty, or loss. the homeless live with misery every day agony suggests pain too intense to be borne. in agony over the death of their child

Examples of distress in a Sentence

Noun

 Citizens voiced their distress over delays in fixing the problem. The patient showed no obvious signs of distress. He suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the accident.

Verb

 don't let all the bad news distress you
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

 Bird strikes on planes occur regularly around the world, even though airports use bird distress signals, air cannons and other methods to chase them away from runways. — Fox News, "Hero Russian pilot bestowed nation's highest medal for 'miracle' cornfield landing: 'It feels odd and I'm shy'," 16 Aug. 2019 Bird strikes on planes occur regularly around the world, and airports use bird distress signals, air cannons and other means to chase birds away — measures which aren’t always efficient. — Vladimir Isachenkov, BostonGlobe.com, "Photos: Russian pilot hailed as hero after emergency landing in cornfield," 15 Aug. 2019 Bird strikes on planes occur regularly around the world even though airports use bird distress signals, air cannons and other means to chase birds away from runways. — Vladimir Isachenkov, Anchorage Daily News, "Russian pilot hailed as hero after bird strike disables jet," 15 Aug. 2019 Bird strikes on planes occur regularly around the world even though airports use bird distress signals, air cannons and other means to chase birds away from runways. — Time, "Russian Airliner Lands Safely After Both Engines Fail – Drawing 'Miracle on the Hudson' Comparisons," 15 Aug. 2019 The brain send a distress signal, and the hormones adrenaline and cortisol are released, as well as norepinephrine, dopamine. — The Editors, Marie Claire, "Every Question About Anxiety You've Ever Had, Answered," 8 July 2019 Back in the ’80s, a highly advanced research vessel went missing near the Arctic Circle, only to suddenly reappear 40 years later, now sending a distress signal. —

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