distress

(noun, verb)

noun

1. psychological suffering

- the death of his wife caused him great distress

Similar word(s): hurt, suffering

Definition categories: feeling, pain, painfulness

2. a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)

- a ship in distress

- she was the classic maiden in distress

Definition categories: state, adversity, hardship

3. extreme physical pain

- the patient appeared to be in distress

Definition categories: state, hurting, pain

4. the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim

- Originally distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien

Similar word(s): distraint

Definition categories: act, seizure

verb

1. bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship

Similar word(s): straiten

Definition categories: social, bother, discommode, disoblige, incommode, inconvenience, trouble

2. cause mental pain to

- The news of her child's illness distressed the mother

Definition categories: emotion, disturb, trouble, upset

Sentences with distress as a verb:

- She distressed the new media cabinet so that it fit with the other furniture in the room.