distress
17 synonyms and 2 antonyms for distress, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Serious pain, suffering, or worry, especially of an urgent kind.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use distress
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French destrecier, "to restrain or afflict," ultimately from Latin distringere, "to pull apart" or "stretch tight" — the same root behind district and strain.
Full origin of distress →Frequently asked questions
What does “distress” mean?
The word “distress” means serious pain, suffering, or worry, especially of an urgent kind. In plain terms, serious suffering or worry, or the act of causing it.
How do you pronounce “distress”?
“Distress” is pronounced dih-STREHS (/dɪˈstɹɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “distress” in a sentence?
Here is “distress” used in a sentence: “The medics rushed to treat the patient in respiratory distress.”
What is another word for “distress”?
Words with a similar meaning to “distress” include extremity, anguish, rend, difficulty, grief and hardship.
What is the opposite of “distress”?
The opposite of “distress” — its antonyms — are calmness and pleasure.
What part of speech is “distress”?
Depending on how it is used, “distress” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “distress” come from?
The word “distress” comes from Latin. From Old French destrecier, "to restrain or afflict," ultimately from Latin distringere, "to pull apart" or "stretch tight" — the same root behind district and strain.
Is “distress” a common word?
“Distress” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between distress and stress?
Stress refers to general mental or physical tension, which is often ongoing and manageable, while distress describes more serious pain, suffering, or worry, especially of an urgent kind. In short, distress is a sharper and more severe state than everyday stress.
What is the difference between distress and distressed?
Distress is a noun meaning serious suffering or worry, or a verb meaning to cause someone anxiety, pain, or worry. Distressed is the adjective form, describing a person who feels upset or, in a separate sense, furniture or fabric deliberately treated to look worn and aged.
What are common collocations with distress?
Distress often pairs with words such as emotional distress, financial distress, and signs of distress, and it appears in fixed phrases like a damsel in distress and a distress signal. As a verb it takes an object, as in "the news distressed her."