distress

distress
distress [di stres′]
vt.
[ME distressen < OFr destrecier, orig., to constrain (to do something) < destrece, constraint < ML destrescia < L districtus, pp. of distringere: see DISTRAIN]
1. to cause sorrow, misery, or suffering to; pain
2. to cause discomfort to; trouble
3. to exhaust or weaken with strain of any sort
4. Archaic to constrain (to do something)
5. Law to distrain
n.
1. the state of being distressed; pain, suffering, discomfort, etc.
2. anything that distresses; affliction
3. a state of danger or trouble; bad straits
4. Law
a) distraint
b) the property distrained
distressing
adj.
distressingly
adv.
SYN.- DISTRESS implies mental or physical strain imposed by pain, trouble, worry, or the like and usually suggests a state or situation that can be relieved [distress caused by famine ]; SUFFERING stresses the actual enduring of pain, distress, or tribulation [the suffering of the wounded ]; AGONY suggests mental or physical torment so excruciating that the body or mind is convulsed with the force of it [in mortal agony]; ANGUISH has equal force but is more often applied to acute mental suffering [the anguish of despair ]

English World dictionary. . 2014.

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  • distress — [n1] pain, agony ache, affliction, anguish, anxiety, bad news*, blues*, care, concern, cross, dejection, desolation, disappointment, discomfort, disquietude, dolor, embarrassment, grief, headache, heartache, heartbreak, irritation, malaise,… …   New thesaurus

  • Distress — Dis*tress , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Distressed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Distressing}.] [Cf. OF. destrecier. See {Distress}, n.] 1. To cause pain or anguish to; to pain; to oppress with calamity; to afflict; to harass; to make miserable. [1913 Webster] We… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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