Plural for extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
“Staff expressed intense feelings of distress in having to restrain patients.”
Plural for difficulty, especially when caused by lack of money
“These policies are causing distress to average, hard-working citizens.”
Plural for the state of a ship or aircraft when in danger or difficulty and needing help
“The coastguard reported a number of false alarms when ships mistook fireworks for distress flares.”
To cause significant upset to (someone)
“He had done everything possible to distress her, including his confession of love for her.”
To give an appearance of age to, especially a new object
“I hereby grant you permission to distress that table, to paint it pink and stencil flowers around the edge if that pleases you.”
Related Words and Phrases
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