Find Synonyms

distress Synonyms

Another word for distress

Choosing another word for distress depends on context, so the 31 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 5 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
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• noun (Context 1)

Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or physical and mental suffering.

Usage Example

"To her great anguish, the letter notifying her of the scholarship arrived too late."

Strongest
anguish
suffering
pain
Strong
agony
torment
heartache
grief
sorrow
misery
affliction

• noun (Context 2)

A state of acute danger, severe difficulty, or urgent need for assistance, especially regarding a ship, aircraft, or person.

Usage Example

"The coast guard immediately responded to the vessel in peril during the winter gale."

Strongest
peril
Strong
danger
jeopardy
hardship
adversity
trouble
need

• verb (Context 3)

To cause someone to feel severe anxiety, sorrow, or emotional pain.

Usage Example

"The sudden closure of the historic community library deeply distressed the local residents."

Strongest
upset
trouble
Strong
pain
grieve
sadden
torment
afflict
perturb
agitate
worry

• verb (Context 4)

To treat furniture, fabric, leather, or other materials so as to give them a simulated aged and weathered appearance.

Usage Example

"The carpenter used fine sandpaper and wire brushes to weather the oak cabinet."

Strong
weather
age
wear

• noun (Context 5)

The legal seizure and detention of the property of another as security or satisfaction for a debt or claim, especially unpaid rent.

Usage Example

"The landlord sought to recover the overdue commercial rent through the remedy of distraint."

Strongest
distraint
Strong
seizure
confiscation
impoundment

Opposites of distress

The opposite of distress shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:

safety
comfort
console
relief
soothe
security
reassure
peace
See all opposites of distress

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Distress. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/distress
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