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distress Definition

dis·tress (di stres′)

transitive verb

  1. to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; pain
  2. to cause discomfort to; trouble
  3. to exhaust or weaken with strain of any sort
  4. Archaic to constrain (to do something)
  5. Law to distrain

Etymology: ME distressen < OFr destrecier, orig., to constrain (to do something) < destrece, constraint < ML destrescia < L districtus, pp. of distringere: see distrain

noun

  1. the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc.
  2. anything that distresses; affliction
  3. a state of danger or trouble; bad straits
  4. Law
    1. distraint
    2. the property distrained

distress Related Forms

dis·tress′·ing adjective dis·tress′·ingly adverb

distress Synonyms

distress

n.

  1. Mental agony

    worry, anxiety, perplexity, misery, sorrow, wretchedness, pain, suffering, agony, anguish, dejection, irritation, vexation, ache, heartache, dolor, ordeal, desolation, mortification, affliction, discomfort, trouble, woe, torment, torture, shame, embarrassment, disappointment, tribulation, pang; see also anxiety, grief 1.

    Antonyms joy*, happiness*, ease*, comfort. *

  2. Physical agony

    agony, anguish, suffering, ache; see pain 1, 2.

  3. Misfortune

    straits, danger, trouble, adversity; see crisis, danger, difficulty 1, 2, disaster, poverty 1.

distress implies mental or physical strain imposed by pain, trouble, worry, or the like and usually suggests a state or situation that can be relieved distress caused by famine; suffering emphasizes the actual enduring of pain, distress, or tribulation the suffering of the wounded; agony suggests mental or physical torment so excruciating that the body or mind is convulsed with the force of it in mortal agony; anguish has equal force but is more often applied to acute mental suffering the anguish of despair

distress Synonyms

distress

v.

trouble, disturb, upset, grieve; see bother 3, depress 2, disturb 2.

distress Law Definition

n

The act of distraining another’s property. See also distrain.

distress Usage Examples

Preposition: as

result: Our sympathy goes to all families and businesses who have suffered damage and distress as a result of the floods.

Converse of object

  • levy: Leave of the court is required to levy distress against residential tenants.
  • alleviate: The only true national religion is vodka - capable of alleviating even economic distress.
  • relieve: No funds from Britain would be used to relieve distress in Ireland, Russell's government decreed.
  • cause: A bizarre LP which causes endless distress in our house.
  • suffer: By November many branches had collected money for the miners who were, by now, suffering extreme distress.
  • minimize: She also took swift actions to ensure rider safety and minimize distress and delay after the unexpected death of a French athlete's horse.

Preposition: for

rent: Enforcement District Judge Trent reported on the Sub-Committee's responses to the consultation papers on distress for rent and enforcement.

Adjective modifier

  • fetal: Sadly, fetal distress still causes babies to die or develop permanent disabilities.
  • respiratory: He was found to be improving with a decrease in his respiratory distress.
  • psychological: Greater psychological distress in the best to have some.
  • emotional: Your doctor will also be able to talk to you about how to deal with any emotional distress you've suffered.
  • mental: In the parlance of the day, people in mental distress - like everyone else - are awesome.
  • fetal: The first indication of fetal distress is an abnormal heart rate.

Modifies a noun

  • syndrome: It is deficient in premature babies with the respiratory distress syndrome ).
  • flare: Be prepared for the worst and always carry a recognized smoke signal or red distress flare on your person.
  • signal: Make sure distress signals are given correctly - a straight arm with a clenched fist waved slowly from side to side.
  • warrant: Q.29 Should magistrates ' courts have the power to suspend or withdraw a distress warrant?
  • rocket: The nine crew fired off distress rockets and then climbed into the rigging to escape the seas.
  • alert: A VHF DSC distress alert is then transmitted as well as RT traffic on Channel 16.