a wave of distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming feeling of anxiety or sadness experienced by a person or group. Example: "As the news of the disaster spread, a wave of distress swept through the community, leaving everyone in shock."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

BALTIMORE — With just a month to go before the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course here, the bankruptcy of the company that owns the track and the race has unleashed a wave of distress among politicians and the public over whether Maryland could lose its cherished second leg of the Triple Crown.

The New York Times - Sports

PAGE A12 FRETTING OVER THE PREAKNESS With just a month to go before the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course, the bankruptcy of the company that owns the track and questions about the race's future have unleashed a wave of distress among politicians and the public over whether Maryland could lose the second leg of the Triple Crown.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana announced on Monday that he would not seek re-election, sending a wave of distress over his fellow Democrats and focusing new attention on the view that unyielding partisanship had left Congress all but paralyzed.

The New York Times

Third, land market activity declined, allowing us to reject the hypothesis that the program caused a wave of distress sales or widespread landlessness by vulnerable people.

Journal of Development Economics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The increase in foreclosures could be the first of a wave of financial distress for many minority homeowners, experts say, because they are twice as likely as whites to have taken out expensive subprime mortgages, most of which will jump to higher interest rates in the next two years, according to an analysis of data that lenders disclose under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act.

The New York Times

The rolling real estate crash that ravaged Florida and the Southwest is delivering a new wave of distress to communities once thought to be immune — economically diversified cities where the boom was relatively restrained.

The New York Times

We knew it would be so, before it broke as a wave of anger and distress.

The Guardian

But this year's wave of distress is deeper and broader than any in a decade, according to lenders, liquidators and bankruptcy experts.

The New York Times

As San Bernardino, Calif., moved toward bankruptcy this week, municipal bond analysts were questioning how widespread the fiscal distress may prove to be, but were not predicting a wave of defaults.

The New York Times

A wave of refinancing that will hit private-equity-owned firms over the next few years may prove profitable for distressed-debt funds.

The Economist

A result was a wave of refugees.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of distress" to describe a widespread or collective experience of suffering or anxiety, especially in response to specific events or news.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of distress" for minor inconveniences or temporary sadness. Reserve it for situations involving significant emotional or psychological impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of distress" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a collective emotional experience, characterizing a sudden and widespread feeling of suffering, anxiety, or sorrow. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a wave of distress" is a noun phrase used to describe a widespread feeling of suffering or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in writing. It is most commonly found in news and media, formal and business, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it is important to reserve it for situations involving significant emotional or psychological impact, and to use it to describe collective experiences rather than individual feelings. Alternative phrases include "a surge of anguish" and "a flood of sorrow".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a surge of anguish

Replaces "distress" with a stronger term, emphasizing intense suffering.

a flood of sorrow

Uses a different metaphor, 'flood', to convey the overwhelming feeling of sadness.

a tide of grief

Employs "grief" instead of "distress", focusing on mourning and loss.

a groundswell of unease

Substitutes "distress" with "unease", indicating a more subtle sense of anxiety and worry.

an outbreak of anxiety

Replaces "wave" with "outbreak", signifying a sudden and widespread occurrence of anxiety.

a tremor of fear

Uses "tremor" to represent a more delicate, palpable experience of fear instead of distress.

a ripple of concern

Indicates a milder, spreading sense of worry using "ripple" instead of "wave."

a pulse of agitation

Conveys a sense of restlessness or disturbance through "agitation."

a feeling of deep unease

Shifts from a wave metaphor to a feeling, emphasizing a general state of discomfort.

a profound sense of suffering

Focuses on the internal experience of suffering, instead of the external metaphor.

FAQs

What does "a wave of distress" mean?

The phrase "a wave of distress" describes a sudden and overwhelming feeling of anxiety, sorrow, or suffering that affects many people simultaneously.

How can I use "a wave of distress" in a sentence?

You can use "a wave of distress" to describe reactions to events. For example: "The announcement of the company's closure caused "a wave of distress" among the employees."

What are some alternatives to "a wave of distress"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a surge of anguish", "a flood of sorrow", or "a tide of grief" depending on the specific emotion you want to emphasize.

Is "a wave of distress" the same as "a sign of distress"?

No, "a wave of distress" refers to a shared feeling experienced by many. In contrast, "a sign of distress" indicates an individual's demonstration of suffering or need for help.