distress
noun /dɪˈstres/
/dɪˈstres/
[uncountable]Idioms - a feeling of great worry or unhappiness; great mental pain
- The newspaper article caused the actor considerable distress.
- She sensed his deep emotional distress.
- in distress She was obviously in distress after the attack.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- acute
- considerable
- deep
- …
- cause (somebody)
- experience
- feel
- …
- call
- signal
- in distress
- to somebody’s distress
- distress at
- …
- a damsel in distress
- a source of distress
- severe problems caused by not having enough money, food, etc. synonym hardship
- economic/financial distress
- The charity aims to relieve poverty and distress caused by natural disasters.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- acute
- considerable
- deep
- …
- cause (somebody)
- experience
- feel
- …
- call
- signal
- in distress
- to somebody’s distress
- distress at
- …
- a damsel in distress
- a source of distress
- a situation in which a ship, plane, etc. is in danger or difficulty and needs help
- a distress signal (= a message asking for help)
- in distress It is a rule of the sea to help another boat in distress.
- (medical) a state of physical pain and effort, especially difficulty in breathing
- The patient was suffering serious respiratory distress.
- in distress The baby was clearly in distress.
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French destresce (noun), destrecier (verb), based on Latin distringere ‘stretch apart’.
Idioms
a damsel in distress
- (humorous) a woman who needs help