plural distresses
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
2
a
: 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
distressed; distressing; distresses
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
1
: offered for sale at a loss
distress merchandise
2
: involving distress goods
a distress sale
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
Recent Examples on the Web
Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Terril Johnson’s wife of more than 54 years, Linda Johnson, of Los Angeles, his son, daughter-in-law, grandson and three granddaughters are suing on claims of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
She was particularly distressed by Kennedy’s June decision to fire the entire vaccine advisory board and stack it with his allies, but recent months have offered even more opportunities for stress and indignation.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Simone McCarthy and Yong Xiong, CNN, 4 Apr. 2022
The attractiveness of investing in both public and private post-distress equities in this part of the cycle will likely remain very interesting for the medium-term.
—George Schultze, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for distress
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Noun
Anyone who was impacted by this breach may be entitled to compensation, including reimbursements for out-of-pocket expenses, time spent addressing the breach or payment for emotional distress.
—Lauren Giella, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
Terril Johnson’s wife of more than 54 years, Linda Johnson, of Los Angeles, his son, daughter-in-law, grandson and three granddaughters are suing on claims of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress.
—Julia Marnin, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
She was particularly distressed by Kennedy’s June decision to fire the entire vaccine advisory board and stack it with his allies, but recent months have offered even more opportunities for stress and indignation.
—Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
But the policy itself, which requires all patients who test positive to be isolated, including young children and babies, has caused significant levels distress among parents.
—Simone McCarthy and Yong Xiong, CNN, 4 Apr. 2022
The attractiveness of investing in both public and private post-distress equities in this part of the cycle will likely remain very interesting for the medium-term.
—George Schultze, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2021
See All Example Sentences for distress
Cite this Entry
“Distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distress. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
distress
1 of 2 noun
dis·tress
dis-ˈtres 
2
: a painful situation : misfortune
3
: a condition of danger or desperate need
a ship in distress
Medical Definition
distress
noun
dis·tress
dis-ˈtres
: pain or suffering affecting the body, a bodily part, or the mind
gastric distress
respiratory distress
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