Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Causing mental pain, sorrow, or anxiety: Describes something that makes one feel deeply troubled, sad, or worried.
   • Unfortunate or upsetting: Describes a situation or condition that is regrettable, bad, or pitiable.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The news of the accident was deeply distressing for the entire community.
  • She received a distressing letter containing bad news.
  • The patient's distressing symptoms required immediate attention.
  • They found themselves in a distressing financial situation.

Advanced Usage

• "Distressing to see/hear": Used to emphasize the emotional impact of witnessing or learning about something.

  • It was distressing to see the animal in pain.
  • The witness's account was distressing to hear.

• "Find something distressing": A common collocation expressing personal reaction.

  • Many people find the images from the war distressing.

Variants and Related Words

• Distress (noun/verb): The state of or cause of anxiety, sorrow, or pain.
  • (n.) The ship was in distress. (v.) The news distressed her greatly.
• Distressingly (adverb): In a manner that causes distress.
  • The project was distressingly behind schedule.
• Distressed (adjective): Suffering from distress; also describes worn or aged materials.
  • She looked distressed. He bought a distressed leather jacket.

Synonyms

• Upsetting: Causing emotional disturbance.
• Troubling: Causing worry or concern.
• Disturbing: Causing anxiety or unease.
• Painful: Causing mental suffering.
• Heartbreaking: Causing intense sorrow or distress.

Antonyms

• Comforting: Providing consolation or reassurance.
• Reassuring: Removing doubts or fears.
• Pleasant: Giving a sense of enjoyment or satisfaction.

Related Phrases

• A distressing sight/sound: A common phrase describing something visually or audibly upsetting.
  • The aftermath of the storm was a distressing sight.
• In distressing circumstances: A formal phrase describing a difficult situation.
  • The charity helps families in distressing circumstances.

Adjective

1. bad; unfortunate
   • my finances were in a deplorable state
   • a lamentable decision
   • her clothes were in sad shape
   • a sorry state of affairs
2. 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