His nagging distressed her.
Source: tatoeba (285262)
Distressed
/dɪˈstɹɛst/
Synonyms for "distressed" (156 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (32)
Strong matches (46)
discomposeddisconcerteddisquieteddistracteddistraitdistraughtdisturbeddolefuldown to bedrockembarrassedfeeling the pinchgloomyharassedhard upharrowedheartbrokenhung uphurthurtingill at ease
Show 7 more words
Adjective(10 words)
Noun(2 words)
feel sickgroaning
Related words (78)
in queer streetin reduced circumstancesin straitened circumstancesinconveniencedirkedlaceratedland-poormartyredmartyrizedmortifiednarrownervouson the edgeon the rackout of countenanceout of pocketpainedpanic-strickenperturbedpinched
Show 37 more words
plaguedpoorpoorly offput output to itput uponput-output-uponpuzzledrackedreducedshortshort of cashshort of fundsshort of moneysmittensore besetsqueezedstraitenedstrappedsufferingtenseterribletormentedtorturedtroubledtwisteduncomfortableunder the harrowuneasyunmoneyedunprosperousupsetvexedworriedwoundedwrung
Verb(16 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: abashed, affected, afflicted, aged, agitated.
- Sentence evidence is available for distressed, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from moby, derived_reverse, opengloss, wordnet, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "distressed".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "distressed"
Keep "distressed" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "distressed" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "distressed", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "distressed" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
7 entriesMore specific
16 entriesalarmanguished expressiondistressed debtdistressed denimdistressed leatherdistressed patientdistressed real estatedistressed rural regiondistressed urban areadistressed woodgarnishmenthard hit coastal regionperturbseizureupsetupset demeanor
Collocations
11 entriesdistress calldistress signaldistressed areadistressed assetdistressed debtdistressed expressiondistressed jeansdistressed populationemotional distressextreme distressfinancial distress
Inflections
4 entriesDerivations
2 entriessimilar
3 entriesSample sentences
20 total sentences available.
You have no idea how distressed she was.
Source: tatoeba (308111)
The news distressed her.
Source: tatoeba (311359)
What police thought was a distressed cat turned out to be a man practicing the cuica, a drum which produces noise by rubbing a stick attached to the drumhead from the inside.
Source: tatoeba (814515)
Showing 4 of 20 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "distressed"?
Closest matches include abashed, affected, afflicted, aged, agitated.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "distressed"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.