distressing feeling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distressing feeling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an emotional state that causes discomfort or anxiety. Example: "After hearing the news, I was overwhelmed by a distressing feeling that lingered throughout the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A skit about a visit to a dentist's office was shown with the camera peering up at the dentist working, giving the viewer the distressing feeling of sitting in the chair.

The New York Times - Arts

For Shelley, Mika, and everyone else close to Emma, not knowing what happened is the most distressing feeling.

Vice

A large study released this month found that women are more empathetic and men more analytical, and there is some evidence to show that women's brains will stay with a distressing feeling while a male brain will seek a solution.

Vice

Loneliness is the distressing feeling associated with the perceived absence of satisfying social relationships [ 1].

Current Biology

An example might help us here: an abnormal experience of strange bodily sensations might be verbalized by the patient as, for example, a distressing "feeling, as if there are electric vibrations in my spine".

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

Although self-harm is often conceptualised as a way of regulating difficult emotions [ 11], in this study only half of those who self-harmed without suicidal intent and just over one third of those who self-harmed and wanted to die felt better as a result, suggesting that for many the action has not brought relief, or has replaced one distressing feeling for another.

BMC Psychiatry

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These distressing feelings were in no way lessened by the fact that the movie was so unbelievably funny.

The New Yorker

They love gardening because "it's a displacement activity, the expression of thwarted creativity, eroticism, distressing feelings of social insecurity and shapeless foggy violence".

The New York Times - Books

"We know that young people who are struggling with mental health problems are more likely to abuse alcohol, drugs and prescription medication in an attempt to switch off from distressing feelings".

The Guardian

Integrating this information, we hypothesized that subjects who perceive more expressions of anger in people tend to attribute unreal critical judgments to them and then tend to avoid such criticism, moving away from contact or even presenting less autonomous behaviour to avoid conflict, resulting in distressing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

We are often stirred up or provoked by current day situations that remind us of pain from our past, even if we are not conscious of what is creating the distressing feelings.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general state of unease, "distressing feeling" effectively communicates a sense of discomfort and anxiety. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, as suggested by Ludwig.

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary intensifiers like "very" or "extremely" before "distressing feeling". While these words may seem to add emphasis, they often weaken the phrase's impact. Let "distressing feeling" stand on its own unless absolutely necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distressing feeling" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "distressing" modifies the noun "feeling". It refers to an emotion or sensation that causes discomfort, anxiety, or suffering. Ludwig shows examples in both News & Media and Scientific context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distressing feeling" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to describe an emotion or sensation that causes discomfort or anxiety. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, noting its use in varied sources such as News & Media and Scientific context. While generally neutral to formal in register, it is suitable for a range of situations. Alternative phrases like "unsettling sensation" or "troubling emotion" can be used for nuanced expression. Be mindful of overusing intensifiers, as they can weaken the phrase's impact. In conclusion, understanding the context and impact you want to create is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unsettling sensation

Replaces "feeling" with "sensation", focusing on the sensory aspect of distress.

troubling emotion

Substitutes "distressing" with "troubling" and "feeling" with "emotion", emphasizing the emotional disturbance.

uncomfortable feeling

Uses "uncomfortable" to describe a general sense of unease, which is less intense than "distressing".

disturbing emotion

Replaces "distressing" with "disturbing", highlighting the disruptive nature of the emotion.

uneasy feeling

Uses "uneasy" to describe the sense of discomfort, but also implies anxiety.

agonizing emotion

Emphasizes a more intense, painful emotional experience compared to a general distressing feeling.

harrowing experience

Shifts focus to the overall experience, suggesting severe distress and suffering.

painful emotion

Directly refers to the pain aspect of the feeling, but it can be physical or emotional pain.

sad feeling

Conveys a sense of unhappiness or sorrow, less intense and less encompassing than distress.

unpleasant sensation

Focuses on a sensory experience that causes aversion, which can range from mild to strong.

FAQs

How can I use "distressing feeling" in a sentence?

You can use "distressing feeling" to describe an emotional state that causes discomfort or anxiety. For example, "The news report triggered a "distressing feeling" that lingered throughout the day."

What's a more formal alternative to "distressing feeling"?

In formal contexts, consider using "troubling emotion" or "unsettling sensation". These alternatives maintain a professional tone while conveying a similar meaning.

What can I say instead of "distressing feeling" to emphasize physical discomfort?

To emphasize physical discomfort, you might say "unpleasant sensation" or "uncomfortable feeling". These phrases directly relate to physical experiences.

How does "distressing feeling" differ from "sad feeling"?

"Distressing feeling" implies a broader sense of unease, anxiety, or discomfort, whereas "sad feeling" specifically refers to unhappiness or sorrow. The former encompasses a wider range of negative emotions.