dis·tress (d -str s )tr.v. dis·tressed, dis·tress·ing, dis·tress·es 1. To cause strain, anxiety, or suffering to. See Synonyms at trouble. 2. Law To hold the property of (a person) against the payment of debts. 3. To mar or otherwise treat (an object or fabric, for example) to give the appearance of an antique or of heavy prior use: "There are the fakes  new rugs which have been intentionally distressed for an older look" (Hatfield MA Valley Advocate).4. Archaic To constrain or overcome by harassment. n. 1. Anxiety or mental suffering. 2. a. Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or an accident. b. Acute physical discomfort. c. Physical deterioration, as of a highway, caused by hard use over time: pavement distress. 3. The condition of being in need of immediate assistance: a motorist in distress. 4. Law a. The act of distraining or seizing to compel payment. b. The goods thus seized. [Middle English distressen, from Old French destresser, from destresse, constraint, from Vulgar Latin *districtia, from Latin districtus, past participle of distringere, to hinder; see distrain.] dis·tress ing·ly adv. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. |  distressing - causing distress or worry or anxiety; "distressing (or disturbing) news"; "lived in heroic if something distressful isolation"; "a disturbing amount of crime"; "a revelation that was most perturbing"; "a new and troubling thought"; "in a particularly worrisome predicament"; "a worrying situation"; "a worrying time"heavy - marked by great psychological weight; weighted down especially with sadness or troubles or weariness; "a heavy heart"; "a heavy schedule"; "heavy news"; "a heavy silence"; "heavy eyelids" |
| 2. | distressing - bad; unfortunate; "my finances were in a deplorable state"; "a lamentable decision"; "her clothes were in sad shape"; "a sorry state of affairs" bad - having undesirable or negative qualities; "a bad report card"; "his sloppy appearance made a bad impression"; "a bad little boy"; "clothes in bad shape"; "a bad cut"; "bad luck"; "the news was very bad"; "the reviews were bad"; "the pay is bad"; "it was a bad light for reading"; "the movie was a bad choice" |
distressing
adjective upsetting, worrying, disturbing, painful, affecting, sad, afflicting, harrowing, grievous, hurtful, lamentable, heart-breaking, nerve-racking, gut-wrenching, distressful
Translations
How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.
| ?Page tools | ||
|---|---|---|
|