| / English Dictionary |
DISTRESSED
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Generalized feeling of distress
Synonyms:
distressed; dysphoric; unhappy
Classified under:
Also:
dejected (affected or marked by low spirits)
unhappy (experiencing or marked by or causing sadness or sorrow or discontent)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Afflicted with or marked by anxious uneasiness or trouble or grief
Example:
one last worried check of the sleeping children
Synonyms:
disquieted; distressed; disturbed; upset; worried
Classified under:
Similar:
troubled (characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need)
Sense 3
Meaning:
Facing or experiencing financial trouble or difficulty
Example:
found themselves in a bad way financially
Synonyms:
distressed; hard-pressed; hard put; in a bad way
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
troubled (characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Suffering severe physical strain or distress
Example:
he dropped out of the race, clearly distressed and having difficulty breathing
Synonyms:
distressed; stressed
Classified under:
Adjectives
Similar:
troubled (characterized by or indicative of distress or affliction or danger or need)
II. (verb)
Sense 1
Past simple / past participle of the verb distress
Context examples:
Generous, good man, I am afraid he has distressed himself.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
Elinor, distressed by this charge of reserve in herself, which she was not at liberty to do away, knew not how, under such circumstances, to press for greater openness in Marianne.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
If money is not the matter involved, you may be distressed when a friend comments frankly on your choice of steady date or spouse.
(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)
Didst not look to see the distressed damosel again.
(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
I made sure, of course, that I should be taken; but I was so distressed for want of water that I scarce knew whether to be glad or sorry at the thought, and long before I had come to a conclusion, surprise had taken entire possession of my mind and I could do nothing but stare and wonder.
(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)
Jim sprang up, however, and walked over to his corner, while Berks, distressed by his evening’s dissipation, leaned one arm upon Mendoza and the other upon Dutch Sam as he made for his seat.
(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Upon the strength of this reasoning, I ventured to address them in the following manner: Gentlemen, if you be conjurers, as I have good cause to believe, you can understand my language; therefore I make bold to let your worships know that I am a poor distressed Englishman, driven by his misfortunes upon your coast; and I entreat one of you to let me ride upon his back, as if he were a real horse, to some house or village where I can be relieved.
(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)
The doubts and alarms as to her own conduct, which had previously distressed her, and which had all slept while she listened to him, were become of little consequence now.
(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)
Within half an hour, he had passed from a thoroughly distressed state of mind, to something so like perfect happiness, that it could bear no other name.
(Emma, by Jane Austen)
“I am surprised,” I began, “to see you so distressed and serious”—when she interrupted me.
(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)
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