Distress has 8 different meanings across 2 categories:
Noun
· Verb
Noun
1
psychological suffering
"the death of his wife caused him great distress"
2
a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)
"a ship in distress"
"she was the classic maiden in distress"
3
extreme physical pain
"the patient appeared to be in distress"
4
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"
5
discomfort.
"The tight shoes caused him great distress in his feet during the long hike."
Verb
1
bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
"The sudden illness brought his family to great distress by draining their savings and leaving them unable to pay rent."
2
cause mental pain to
"The news of her child's illness distressed the mother"
3
To cause strain or anxiety to someone.
"The sudden news of his injury caused great distress to his worried family."
In plain English: To distress someone is to make them feel very sad, worried, or upset about something bad that has happened.
"The loud noise caused her to distress, and she began to cry immediately."
Example Sentences
"The loud noise caused her to distress, and she began to cry immediately."
verb
"The loud noise caused great distress to the sleeping baby."
verb
"She felt distressed by the unfair criticism from her boss."
verb
"Continuous financial problems have left him in constant distress."
verb
Related Terms
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Broader Terms (hypernyms)
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
Origin
The word distress comes from the Old French verb destrecier, which originally meant to restrain or put someone in straits. It entered English through Middle English and traces its roots back to a Late Latin form derived from words meaning "to pull apart" or "strain."