acute distress

USAGE SUMMARY

"acute distress" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express a severe level of emotional or psychological distress. For example, "The sudden death of his parents left him in acute distress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everything can be monetised, even acute distress.

The Guardian - Opinion

Losing power is felt physically, emotionally, in waves of sensation, in moments of acute distress.

The Guardian

Now a lot of its work involves people in acute distress.

The Guardian

On exam, he is morbidly obese but in no acute distress.

Yale University

Kitaj believed this was brought on by her acute distress at his character assassination by the critics.

The Guardian - Arts

It isn't about getting "better", but learning to live with acute distress and developing ways of managing it.

The Guardian

"The evidence we received showed the acute distress experienced by parents who are unable to see their children after separation.

The Guardian

The cat, who had been in acute distress, went home in a matter of hours.

The New York Times

The tabloids will happily destroy a family or cause acute distress to another human being for the fleeting entertainment of their readers.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

On physical exam, the patient was a thin pleasant, Caucasian male in no acute distress.

BMC Nephrology

These patients were generally ill-appearing, though not all were in acute distress some were terminally ill-appearing and had been declining steadily for days or weeks.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "acute distress" to describe situations where individuals or systems are experiencing a high level of suffering or difficulty. Be specific about the source or cause of the distress for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "acute distress" for mild or moderate discomfort. Reserve it for situations involving significant and immediate suffering, whether physical, emotional, or systemic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "acute distress" functions as a noun phrase, where "acute" modifies the noun "distress", indicating a severe and immediate state of suffering. Ludwig examples show it describing both physical and emotional suffering.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "acute distress" is a commonly used phrase to describe a severe level of suffering, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It is primarily employed in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal and serious tone. When writing, use it to accurately depict situations involving significant immediate suffering and avoid overusing it for minor discomfort. Consider alternatives like "severe anguish" or "intense suffering" to add nuance. Understanding its appropriate use ensures clear and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe anguish

Emphasizes deep mental or emotional suffering rather than physical distress.

intense suffering

Focuses on the degree of suffering experienced.

extreme agony

Highlights a more intense and prolonged form of suffering.

critical condition

Refers specifically to a severe state of health that requires immediate medical attention.

dire straits

Indicates a situation of extreme difficulty or danger.

intense pain

Focuses more on physical pain rather than emotional or mental distress.

severe discomfort

Implies a less intense level of suffering than "acute distress".

deep sorrow

Specifically indicates emotional pain or sadness.

grave emergency

Focuses on an urgent and serious situation, often medical.

crisis situation

Highlights a moment of intense difficulty requiring immediate action.

FAQs

How can I use "acute distress" in a sentence?

You can use "acute distress" to describe someone experiencing severe pain or suffering. For example, "The patient was in "acute distress" due to the injury."

What are some synonyms for "acute distress"?

Some synonyms include "severe anguish", "intense suffering", or "extreme agony". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "acute distress" in a formal context?

Yes, "acute distress" is suitable for formal contexts, especially in medical, legal, or academic writing, where precise language is required to describe a serious condition.

What is the difference between "acute distress" and "chronic distress"?

"Acute distress" refers to a sudden and severe episode of suffering, while "chronic distress" describes a persistent or long-term state of suffering or difficulty.