Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of extreme physical or mental suffering: "Distress" refers to a condition of severe pain, anxiety, or sorrow.
   • A state of great difficulty or danger: "Distress" can describe a situation of serious trouble or adversity, often requiring urgent help.
   • (Law) The seizure of property to secure payment of a debt: In legal contexts, "distress" historically refers to the act of taking property as security for a debt or claim.

2. Verb:

   • To cause someone anxiety, sorrow, or pain: To "distress" someone means to make them feel very upset, worried, or unhappy.
   • To bring into a state of difficulty or hardship: To "distress" can also mean to subject someone or something to severe strain or trouble.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The patient was showing clear signs of distress. (The patient exhibited symptoms of severe physical or emotional suffering.)
  • The ship sent out a distress signal. (The ship transmitted a call for help due to being in danger.)
  • The landlord had the right of distress for unpaid rent. (The landlord had the legal right to seize property for the unpaid debt.)

• Verb:

  • The tragic news distressed the entire community. (The sad news caused great sorrow and anxiety for everyone in the community.)
  • The company was distressed by massive financial losses. (The company was plunged into a state of severe financial difficulty.)

Advanced Usage

• "In distress": in a state of suffering, danger, or urgent need.
  • The lifeboat rescued the sailors in distress.
• "Distress call/signal": a message sent to request immediate help in a dangerous situation.
  • The hiker used his phone to make a distress call.
• "To be distressed about/over something": to be deeply troubled or worried about something.
  • She was deeply distressed over her exam results.

Variants and Related Words

• Distressed (adj): suffering from distress; (of furniture/fabric) treated to look old and worn.
  • A distressed animal. / A distressed leather jacket.
• Distressing (adj): causing anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
  • It was a distressing sight.
• Distressingly (adv): in a distressing manner.
  • The situation was distressingly familiar.

Synonyms

• Noun: Anguish, suffering, agony, hardship, adversity, trouble.
• Verb: Upset, trouble, torment, afflict, bother.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

(Note: "Distress" is not commonly used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its meanings are typically expressed through the verb itself or in phrases like "distressed about.")

Related Idioms

• A damsel in distress: a cliché referring to a young woman in a situation of danger or difficulty who needs to be rescued.
  • The story featured the classic damsel in distress.
• Financial distress: a specific condition where a person or company is unable to meet financial obligations.
  • The recession pushed many firms into financial distress.

Noun

1. the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim
   • Originally distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien
2. extreme physical pain
   • the patient appeared to be in distress
3. a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)
   • a ship in distress
   • she was the classic maiden in distress
4. psychological suffering
   • the death of his wife caused him great distress

Verb

1. cause mental pain to
   • The news of her child's illness distressed the mother
2. bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship