as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distraught
When a chance encounter with a distraught stranger on a train goes horribly wrong, Jack Reacher (Ritchson) is drawn into a complex and deadly game that pits him against ruthless foes from the highest echelons of power.
—
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Chuck was distraught, ranting on the Council floor about how unfair his premature ouster was.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
After officers spent some time talking with those involved and trying to get the distraught mother to put down her baby, body camera footage shows Maria Pike, 34, grab a large knife and move toward an officer, knife raised.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025
Another headache for the authorities is that a camera phone inside the bank captures her distraught monologue explaining what got her here — which gets broadcast on local TV, drawing a crowd of protestors outside.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Matt Grobar, Deadline, 26 June 2025
Chuck was distraught, ranting on the Council floor about how unfair his premature ouster was.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 25 June 2025
After officers spent some time talking with those involved and trying to get the distraught mother to put down her baby, body camera footage shows Maria Pike, 34, grab a large knife and move toward an officer, knife raised.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2025
Another headache for the authorities is that a camera phone inside the bank captures her distraught monologue explaining what got her here — which gets broadcast on local TV, drawing a crowd of protestors outside.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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Scenes are set in grimy derelict spaces or feature the ominous sound of agitated bat wings.—
Joan MacDonald,
Forbes.com,
4 July 2025
-
The Defense secretary became agitated during the briefing, which was intended to clarify the intelligence the Pentagon had on the three nuclear facilities before and after the weekend operation.—
Dan Gooding
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
One of the biggest shifts since the time of Rose is that far fewer Americans are worried about this potential problem.—
Harry Enten,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
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Critics of Greene's bill are worried that the legislation could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals, who naturally stand to make more profits from a home sale.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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Audience noises at the NRG Stadium in Houston went from frightened gasps to applause as the descent was completed.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
29 June 2025
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Things were hectic in the mall, Stain, 45, said, with lots of frightened people running to the exits.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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For Bertram, whose family winery has roots deep in the terraced vineyards of the valley, the night was a blur of frantic decisions and terrifying uncertainty.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
-
Huntington Park High School Principal Carlos Garibaldi was preparing to host a graduation on his campus when frantic colleagues radioed him: Immigration is coming.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s people that are getting into trouble because the powers that be are scared, too.—
Mario Koran,
jsonline.com,
12 July 2025
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Most notable in the repeat of Man of Steel elements and themes, there’s the Kryptonian message threatening earth, which makes the public scared, so Superman turns himself in to government authorities.—
Mark Hughes,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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What changed at Sharon Place and why are owners upset? Sharon Place, which includes over 70 condos, has always had a pet weight limit written into its governing documents, Emehel said.—
Nora O’Neill
July 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 July 2025
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With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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