distress Definition
- 1extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
- 2the state of a ship or aircraft being in danger or difficulty and needing help
Using distress: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "distress" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The news of her father's death caused her great distress.
Example
The company is in financial distress.
Example
The ship sent out a distress signal when it started sinking.
Example
The hiker was in distress and needed medical attention.
distress Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using distress
Example
Excuse me, I need to answer the distress call of nature.
Example
I haven't eaten all day and my stomach is sending out distress signals.
a purchase made out of necessity rather than desire, often due to an emergency or urgent need
Example
I had to make a distress purchase of a new tire after getting a flat on the highway.
Phrases with distress
a signal sent out by a person or vehicle in danger or difficulty, requesting immediate assistance
Example
The pilot made a distress call before the plane crashed.
Example
The company had to hold a distress sale to raise funds.
a visual or audible signal indicating that a person or vehicle is in danger or difficulty and requiring immediate assistance
Example
The ship sent out a distress signal when it started sinking.
Origins of distress
from Old French 'destresse', meaning 'anguish, hardship'
Summary: distress in Brief
The term 'distress' [dɪˈstres] refers to extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain, as well as the state of a ship or aircraft being in danger or difficulty. Examples include 'The news of her father's death caused her great distress.' and 'The ship sent out a distress signal when it started sinking.' Phrases like 'distress call' and idioms like 'distress signal of the stomach' further illustrate the concept of needing help or experiencing discomfort.