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Upsetting, or causing anxiety, sorrow or pain
“King later apologized for writing the novel, saying he penned it during a distressing period in his life and wished it had never been published.”
Causing worry, distress or anxiety
“Giving evidence in court is a distressing situation where a person's integrity will be questioned.”
Characterized by, or tending to cause, agitation, fear or anxiety
“But the prophet would later give a distressing warning of judgment.”
Disturbing in nature due to references to death or dying
“He likewise was troubled with very distressing visions of a frightful nature appearing to him immediately before the act of falling asleep.”
Causing hurt or distress to someone's feelings
“Yasin had trembled all over, expecting unprecedented evil or at least a distressing insult that would be observed by the shop owners and passersby.”
Causing trouble, difficulties, or discomfort
“It could be argued, ironic though this may seem, that they had become by the early nineteenth century more of a distressing inconvenience than they had ever been a century before.”
Deplorable or substandard in quality or condition
“Members have so often had to work in distressing conditions under the pressure of a program too vast for their insufficient resources.”
Affected with, or causing, physical discomfort or pain
“The man had deliberately created a distressing wound on one of his arms, which he would dutifully expose to any member of the public who passed by his makeshift bed.”
Severe or intense, especially in a painful or unpleasant way
“At other times it covers the whole body and limbs, when it becomes a severe and distressing affection, from the great itching and pain which are its attendants.”
Causing, or characterized by, a feeling of shock or surprise
“To me that was the most shocking of the many shocking and distressing episodes in this whole dreary affair.”
Generally displeasing or unpalatable in nature
“And the distressing truth is that, for the present, this disease is incurable.”
Causing, or likely to cause, harm or injury
“When you achieve a calmness of mind, then you will understand that your negative, distressing and harmful thoughts are disappearing.”
To be irritating or upsetting, typically with repeated or unpleasant acts
Present participle for to cause significant upset to (someone)
“He had done everything possible to distress her, including his confession of love for her.”
Present participle for 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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