as in agitated
feeling overwhelming fear or worry
distraught relatives waiting to learn whether there were any survivors of the plane crash
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Recent Examples of distraught
But the work often takes an emotional toll, Speer said, reflecting on a difficult search in January for a distraught 17-year-old girl.
—
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Already out, distraught Bode had to be restrained by Jake from going back in to help his family as the building started to crumble.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Seeking blankets in the ER’s makeshift morgue, Whitaker runs into a distraught Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) breaking down after losing the girlfriend of his sort-of stepson — and still suffering from PTSD on the anniversary of his mentor’s death from COVID.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
She wasn’t moved to tears by Lainey Wilson’s headlining performance, nor was the singer-songwriter from rural San Luis Obispo, California, distraught over any kind of personal trauma triggered by Wilson’s lyrics (country songs are known for having this kind of effect, after all).
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 3 May 2025
Already out, distraught Bode had to be restrained by Jake from going back in to help his family as the building started to crumble.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2025
Seeking blankets in the ER’s makeshift morgue, Whitaker runs into a distraught Dr. Robby (Noah Wyle) breaking down after losing the girlfriend of his sort-of stepson — and still suffering from PTSD on the anniversary of his mentor’s death from COVID.
—Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 4 Apr. 2025
She wasn’t moved to tears by Lainey Wilson’s headlining performance, nor was the singer-songwriter from rural San Luis Obispo, California, distraught over any kind of personal trauma triggered by Wilson’s lyrics (country songs are known for having this kind of effect, after all).
—Sam Reed, Glamour, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for distraught
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distraught
Adjective
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The grizzly was even more agitated, rocking back and forth, making mini-lunges.—
Alann B. Steen,
Outdoor Life,
21 May 2025
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Bella and Edward, the most inhumanly beautiful Cullen of all, meet-cute-ish when she’s forced to sit next to him in biology lab and he seems agitated by her presence, even repulsed.—
Bruce Handy,
Vulture,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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However, because the pool was shallow, Lisberg was less worried.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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There are signs that some in Israel are worried about the consequences of its actions in Gaza.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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Horses are naturally skittish animals that can easily become frightened and bolt.—
Moná Thomas,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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Footage from the immediate aftermath captured mothers and fathers clutching children on their hips, running through the mist of water dousing the flames, while frightened dogs scrambled alongside them.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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There's no need for a language barrier to cause a frantic rush to cram in the language a week before your trip.—
Judy Koutsky,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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There are unexpected movements, too, plus frantic activity between the more than 20 frames that surround the stage.—
Dewayne Bevil,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Plus, hearing from the new owners, those dogs have also been scared and skittish around humans.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
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While gold is a popular choice when investors are scared, other alternatives such as infrastructure and real estate offer similar protection.—
Eric Satz,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Santa Margarita 6, Huntington Beach 5: Chase Marlow singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning to give the Eagles an upset over Sunset League champion Huntington Beach.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
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This was from Chris Haynes, reporting that Michael Beasley (yes, that Michael Beasley) is upset that the expansion Miami Big 3 team drafted Lance Stephenson (yes, that Lance Stephenson), and is contemplating requesting a trade.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Distraught.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distraught. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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