distressed about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distressed about" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe someone who is feeling emotional anguish about a difficult situation. For example, "The elderly couple was distressed about the unexpected medical bills they had to face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are tired of being tired, stressed from being stressed, and distressed about being distressed.

Huffington Post

I will think of my misbehaving child as "distressed" not "bad" and try to understand what she is distressed about.

HuffPost

They feel distressed about it.

The New York Times - Science

"He didn't seem distressed about the incongruity".

The New York Times - Magazine

What was he so distressed about?

The Guardian

They were also less distressed about their previous sexual problems.

Independent

I became increasingly distressed about the plight of wild birds.

The New Yorker

My good news makes me distressed about their bad news.

The New York Times

Inmarsat's shareholders have little to be distressed about.

The Times

But Alex felt increasingly distressed about lying to her family.

The New York Times

Many Kenyans seemed distressed about what was happening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distressed about" to convey a significant level of emotional upset or concern, more intense than simply "worried" or "concerned".

Common error

Avoid using "distressed about" for minor inconveniences or trivial matters. Reserve it for situations involving genuine emotional or psychological distress to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distressed about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of emotional suffering or worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable to describe someone's emotional anguish about a difficult situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distressed about" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express significant emotional upset or concern regarding a specific issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for describing emotional anguish. The phrase is versatile, appearing in diverse contexts from news reports to scientific articles, though it is most frequently found in News & Media sources. While alternatives like "concerned about" and "worried about" exist, "distressed about" conveys a stronger emotional reaction. When using this phrase, ensure the context justifies the intensity of the emotion to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concerned about

Focuses more on a general feeling of worry or interest in a particular issue.

concerned over

Similar to "concerned about", but can suggest a more intense or prolonged worry.

worried about

Emphasizes the anxiety and unease associated with a potential problem.

anxious about

Highlights the apprehensive and uneasy feelings regarding an uncertain event or situation.

apprehensive regarding

Highlights a feeling of anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

upset about

Indicates a feeling of unhappiness or disappointment caused by something.

bothered by

Indicates a feeling of being disturbed or irritated by something.

perturbed by

Suggests a feeling of disturbance or annoyance, often by something unexpected.

uneasy concerning

Suggests a feeling of discomfort or anxiety related to a particular matter.

aggrieved by

Implies a feeling of injustice or resentment due to unfair treatment or circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "distressed about" in a sentence?

Use "distressed about" to express feeling emotional anguish or worry regarding a difficult situation. For example, "The community was "distressed about" the rising crime rates".

What are some alternatives to "distressed about"?

Alternatives include "concerned about", "worried about", or "anxious about", each carrying slightly different connotations of worry or unease.

Is it better to say "distressed about" or "concerned about"?

"Distressed about" indicates a stronger emotional reaction than "concerned about". Use "distressed" when the situation causes significant emotional upset.

What's the difference between "distressed about" and "upset about"?

"Distressed about" generally implies a deeper level of anxiety and worry, while "upset about" suggests a feeling of disappointment or unhappiness. The choice depends on the intensity of the emotion you want to convey.