distressful

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'distressful' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or emotion that is filled with distress and difficulty. For example, "The COVID-19 pandemic has been a distressful time for many."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

When he was informed that his daughter was being kept on life support to save the unborn child, the father said he found the doctors' decision "extremely distressful".

The Guardian

The Gifford Lectures were prepared during this distressful period.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After observing Adam in her office with both sets of parents, Mak concluded that Adam was in a "distressful limbo state".

The New Yorker

They were not excited by "the glory of war," which emphasizes killing people, the most distressful experience possible.

The New York Times

The sight of two women kissing has not been as distressful to people as the sight of two men kissing".

The New York Times

I think distressful thoughts.

The New York Times

Ten years later, asked by Gladstone if he was apprehensive about becoming Irish secretary, Morley replied that, after restraining Stead's passion for sensational journalism, governing "the most distressful country" would seem easy.

The Guardian - Books

The text, printed in English on the front page of the News and in Urdu in the bestselling Daily Jang, said its coverage of a gun attack in Karachi that seriously injured journalist Hamid Mir in April had been "excessive, distressful and emotional".

The Guardian

"It is a very distressful thing," he wrote, "to walk into a yard in May and not hear a bee buzz".

The New Yorker

When not scrutinizing the distressful or participating in it, Murrow seems to brood upon it.

The New Yorker

According to a report by the state comptroller's office in 1998, "Health conditions in the Texas-Mexico border are among the worst in the U.S., so distressful that reports on health conditions suggest a remote country in need of medical missionaries, not a part of Texas".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "agonizing" or "harrowing" for even stronger emotional impact, but ensure they fit the specific context.

Common error

Avoid using "distressful" when you mean "distressing". "Distressful" describes something having distress, while "distressing" describes something causing distress. For example, a "distressing" event causes you to feel "distressful" thoughts.

Linguistic Context

The word "distressful" functions primarily as an adjective. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It modifies nouns to describe something that is causing or experiencing distress, strain, or anxiety. The examples from Ludwig showcase its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58.82%

Encyclopedias

11.76%

Science

17.64%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distressful" is a grammatically sound adjective used to describe something causing or experiencing distress. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and applicable in written English. The analysis reveals that while "distressful" is suitable for many contexts, being mindful of its connotations and choosing synonyms like "agonizing" or "harrowing" for more impactful writing is beneficial. A common error is confusing "distressful" with "distressing". Finally, the examples provided by Ludwig highlight the word's utility across various domains, with news and media being the most frequent contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

troublesome

Replaces "distressful" with a single word emphasizing the causing of trouble or difficulty.

agonizing

Focuses on the intense mental or physical suffering caused by a situation, similar to "distressful".

harrowing

Highlights the acutely distressing and disturbing nature of an experience.

heartbreaking

Emphasizes the emotional pain and sorrow caused, akin to a "distressful" situation.

painful

A broader term indicating any kind of suffering or unpleasantness.

unsettling

Describes something that causes unease or anxiety, mirroring the effect of a "distressful" event.

fraught with anxiety

Replaces the adjective with a prepositional phrase emphasizing the presence of anxiety.

laden with distress

Similar to "fraught with anxiety", this phrase highlights the heavy presence of distress.

cause for concern

Shifts the focus to the reason why distress is felt, rather than the feeling itself.

fraught with difficulty

Emphasizes the challenging and problematic nature of a situation, a potential cause of distress.

FAQs

How can "distressful" be used in a sentence?

"Distressful" describes something causing distress or experiencing significant difficulty. For example, "The news was extremely distressful." or "The experience left him in a distressful state."

What words are similar to "distressful"?

Similar words include "troublesome", "agonizing", and "harrowing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "distressful" the same as "distressing"?

No, "distressful" and "distressing" have different meanings. "Distressful" describes something possessing distress, whereas "distressing" describes something that causes distress.

Which is correct, "distressful situation" or "distressing situation"?

While both can be correct depending on the intended meaning, "distressing situation" is more common when describing a situation that causes distress. "Distressful situation" implies the situation itself is experiencing distress, which is less frequent.