distressful

adjective

dis·​tress·​ful di-ˈstres-fəl How to pronounce distressful (audio)
: causing distress : full of distress
distressfully adverb
distressfulness noun

Examples of distressful in a Sentence

the distressful period during which we waited to learn who had made the cut the distressful living conditions in the refugee camp
Recent Examples on the Web Despite the distressful news of Houston’s death that day, the event went forward to create a space for guests to mourn. Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN, 2 Feb. 2024 Justice Harry Blackmun, who wrote for the Roe-affirming majority in 1973, included a brief list of the potential detriments of forcing women to carry pregnancies to term: Maternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future. Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, The New Yorker, 6 July 2022 The definition of trauma is anything distressful. Julia M. Chan, CNN, 15 Mar. 2022 But the results, Mr. Chancellor observes, were not as distressful for the rich as a medieval canonist might have hoped. Adam Rowe, WSJ, 12 Aug. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'distressful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of distressful was in 1591

Dictionary Entries Near distressful

Cite this Entry

“Distressful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/distressful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

distressful

adjective
dis·​tress·​ful dis-ˈtres-fəl How to pronounce distressful (audio)
: causing distress : full of distress
distressfully adverb
distressfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on distressful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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