extremely distressed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extremely distressed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is experiencing a high level of emotional pain or anxiety. Example: "After hearing the news, she was extremely distressed and needed support from her friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This self-report scale measures the severity of symptoms and consists of 16 psychological symptoms which must be rated on a 5-point scale, ranging from 1 (not distressed by the symptom) to 5 (extremely distressed by the symptom).

BMC Psychiatry

He was extremely distressed with vivid flashbacks".

The Guardian

He added: "I'm unbelievably depressed and I've been extremely distressed.

Independent

She has been left extremely distressed by the ordeal.

The Guardian

I am extremely distressed at Egg's assassination of my character.

The Guardian - Money

When the police arrived, Hyde was extremely distressed and sobbing.

The Guardian

"Now after what has happened, he is an extremely distressed man.

Independent

Officers found the girl in the basement "extremely distressed, crying and shaking".

Independent

Not unexpectedly, many of the children were extremely distressed soon after the divorce.

The New York Times - Health

There was official testimony showing that Meadlo had in fact been extremely distressed by Calley's order.

The New Yorker

"Most of our small investors are pensioners and some of them have been extremely distressed.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "extremely distressed", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of the distress to provide a complete picture for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely distressed" in very formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be more appropriate. Alternatives like "deeply concerned" or "gravely worried" may be more suitable depending on the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extremely distressed" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the intensity of emotional suffering or anxiety. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extremely distressed" is a grammatically correct and common way to describe a high level of emotional suffering or anxiety. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used and understood across various contexts. It functions as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to emphasize the intensity of distress. Usage is most frequent in news and media, but it's also found in scientific and academic writing. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid overuse in very formal contexts, opting for more nuanced alternatives when appropriate. Examples include the description of reactions to various negative experiences, such as loss, trauma, or difficult situations. Consider exploring related phrases such as "acutely distressed" or "deeply troubled" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acutely distressed

This alternative emphasizes the sharpness and intensity of the distress.

hugely distressed

This alternative emphasizes the magnitude or extent of the distress.

exceedingly distressed

This alternative suggests that the level of distress is beyond ordinary.

enormously distressed

This alternative highlights the significant degree of distress experienced.

highly distressed

This alternative indicates a considerable level of distress.

immensely distressed

This alternative conveys the vastness or limitlessness of the distress.

terribly distressed

This alternative implies a severe or awful state of distress.

extremely upset

This is a more general term which implies a strong negative emotion, similar to distress but can also refer to anger or disappointment.

severely distressed

This alternative suggests that the distress is serious and intense.

deeply troubled

This alternative suggests a more internal and profound state of emotional unease.

FAQs

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

You can use "extremely distressed" to describe someone experiencing a high level of emotional pain or anxiety. For example, "She was "extremely distressed" after hearing the news".

What are some alternatives to saying "extremely distressed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "deeply troubled", "profoundly upset", or "acutely distressed" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to say "extremely distressed" or "severely distressed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "severely distressed" often implies a more intense or serious level of distress than ""extremely distressed"", although the distinction is subtle.

What does "extremely distressed" imply?

The phrase "extremely distressed" indicates a significant level of emotional suffering or mental anguish. It suggests that the person is experiencing considerable discomfort or pain due to a particular situation or event.