1
as in disturbing
causing worry or anxiety
distressing signs that another war might be imminent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tragic
of a kind to cause great distress
the distressing death of our favorite actor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the distressing habit of constantly fiddling with her hair
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in alarming
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy
don't let all the bad news distress you
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of distressing
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
My line supply decreases with distressing rapidity.
—
Ralph Tuttle,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
The Physical And Mental Toll Of Protecting Wildlife Ranger work is physically challenging, often emotionally distressing, but essential.
—
Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be.
—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The omission is very distressing.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
But collapsing into a debate about purity is distressing.
—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
According to an article in Nature Reviews Psychology, seeing others in pain often recruits the same brain systems as feeling pain ourselves, and can be distressing, especially for highly empathetic people.
—
Michele Promaulayko,
Allure,
17 June 2026
The gray, white, and blue stripes, accented with an intermittent chevron pattern, add interest, while moderate distressing helps disguise everyday wear and tear.
—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Light wash indigo and dark indigo with heavy whiskering and distressing remain the dominate palette, but non-indigo colors like charcoal, olive, ecru and sand are gaining importance.
—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
My line supply decreases with distressing rapidity.
—
Ralph Tuttle,
Outdoor Life,
25 June 2026
The Physical And Mental Toll Of Protecting Wildlife Ranger work is physically challenging, often emotionally distressing, but essential.
—
Emese MacZko,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
As distressing as their circumstance is, Naim and Ryan are unmistakably positioned as heroic lovers, not victims-to-be.
—
Robert Abele,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
The omission is very distressing.
—
Voice Of The People,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
But collapsing into a debate about purity is distressing.
—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
18 June 2026
According to an article in Nature Reviews Psychology, seeing others in pain often recruits the same brain systems as feeling pain ourselves, and can be distressing, especially for highly empathetic people.
—
Michele Promaulayko,
Allure,
17 June 2026
The gray, white, and blue stripes, accented with an intermittent chevron pattern, add interest, while moderate distressing helps disguise everyday wear and tear.
—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
Verb
Thieves have tried to break into Taylor Minatogawa’s business five times in the last two months, distressing him so much he’s spent at least a dozen nights inside his shop keeping guard.
—
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2026
Its mid-rise Harlow jeans are composed of a cotton and elastane blend, with a powder-blue hue and strategic hints of distressing down the leg.
—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressing
Adjective
-
There were many disturbing parts of Kerstin’s story left unpursued.
-
The film is a modern take on the creature horror film told from the perspective of a young boy who slowly begins to discover that his beloved parents are hiding a disturbing secret about his mother’s true nature.
Adjective
-
Anything tragic that happened to minorities was inevitable and necessary.
-
Titled ‘Forever 20′, it has been placed on 97 Avenue, close to the stadium’s Main Stand, on the eve of the first anniversary of their tragic passing in a car crash in Spain last July.
Adjective
-
The company and the government have since seemed to settle into an uneasy truce.
-
But some retirees remain uneasy about security concerns, healthcare quality, and property ownership structures.
Verb
-
So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
-
At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
Adjective
-
After all, Against Nature is all about the unsettling atmosphere and the senses.
-
Seeking a fresh start, Ellie moves into a house on Delaney Row hoping to leave her troubled past behind, only to discover that her new home is steeped in dark secrets and unsettling mysteries.
Adjective
-
As attendees were escorted out of the Great American State Fair on Sunday because of inclement weather, guests noticed an unfortunate typo displayed on a digital billboard at the National Mall.
-
They should be trained not to ask a bunch of questions about the medical condition, express doubt, comment that the timing is unfortunate or share private information with co-workers.
Adjective
-
Max is accompanied on his adventures by anxious robot C-3PO AB Sitter, and FX, a magical alien masquerading as a toy who can turn the kid's implausibly impressive sand sculptures into fully functioning robots.
-
America’s centennial in 1876 was celebrated with a grand exhibition that projected an image of national unity and inventiveness in the anxious aftermath of civil war and recession.
Verb
-
Driving into the estate down a dirt track, you’re met with concrete walls that frame the space with gallery-like precision, directing your eyes toward geological features rather than distracting from them.
-
There was some online angst over whether Swift was distracting from football — while the NFL itself capitalized on her fandom.
Cite this Entry
“Distressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressing. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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