Synonyms for
Distressing
Definition
Causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain; upsetting.
Synonyms & similar words
worrisome
pitiful
perturbing
lamentable
straiten
deplorable
sorry
troubling
worrying
distress
disturbing
sad
distressful
upsetting
worrying
troubling
bothersome
disquieting
alarming
agitating
unsettling
unpleasant
painful
harrowing
agonizing
heartbreaking
devastating
traumatic
disturbing
disconcerting
annoying
irritating
exasperating
Synonyms by register
Formal
Informal
Literary
Antonyms
Common collocations
- deeply distressing
- very distressing
- distressing news
- distressing situation
- distressing symptoms
- distressing circumstances
- distressing to see
Word family
Usage note
This word describes something that causes great sadness, anxiety, or pain. It is often used in formal contexts to describe serious situations or events.
Example sentences
- The thought of losing her favorite toy was distressing for the little girl.
- The loud noise was distressing to the baby, who started crying.
- The sight of the injured bird was distressing to the animal lover.
- The news of the pandemic was distressing for everyone around the world.
- The thought of failing the test was distressing for the student.
Quotes
'I want to write a book that's both entertaining and thought-provoking. Something that's fast-paced but also distressing.' - Chuck Palahniuk
'What's distressing is how few people are true to their core values, regardless of the consequences.' - Tony Hsieh
'It is distressing to me that we live in an age in which we still must fight to protect our civil rights as Americans, in which a hate crime perpetrated against someone based their sexual orientation can go unpunished, and in which discrimination is being written into our laws.' - John Conyers