get distressed

USAGE SUMMARY

"get distressed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is feeling anxious, worried, or upset. For example, "When she saw the accident, she got distressed and called the emergency services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Indeed, some children with food allergies get distressed or anxious.

The New York Times

If a mail goes unanswered, you can't afford to get distressed or lose hope.

Stanford University

"What we know about food inflation tells us there's no reason to get distressed," he said.

The New York Times

The intention is to get distressed borrowers into modified loans early enough to keep them out of foreclosure.

The New York Times

"Jeans get distressed because people work their rears off in them, mining gold or on farms," Sights says.

The New York Times - Magazine

She is the star of many Italian films... we didn't want her to get distressed, so we were very careful to limit her appearances".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

"You do see people relapsing as a consequence of getting distressed".

The Guardian

Donnie says: "Lately, and this is the best yet: if Iyal gets distressed, he goes to find Chancer, and he curls up next to him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Clearly a more dedicated mother than most, she didn't just hand over the razor when daughter Nadine got distressed about her body hair.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But Murphy also noted that new enrollees may be getting distressed because some communications from the state are confusing.

Los Angeles Times

"You should pace yourself, similar to how plants should be watered early in the day before getting distressed from a long day in the sun," Hunter told The Huffington Post in an email. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get distressed" when you want to describe someone's emotional reaction to a stressful or upsetting situation. For example, "He tends to "get distressed" when facing tight deadlines."

Common error

Avoid using ""get distressed"" when you intend to describe prolonged feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Distress is a reaction to a specific event, while depression is a longer-term condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get distressed" functions as a verb phrase, specifically an intransitive verb followed by an adjective. It describes the process of entering a state of emotional upset, anxiety, or worry. Ludwig confirms its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

31%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get distressed" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively describes the process of becoming anxious, upset, or worried. Ludwig confirms that the phrase sees frequent usage across News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While it's generally considered neutral in register, it's important to distinguish it from more serious conditions like depression. When writing, consider using synonyms such as "become anxious" or "become upset" to better tailor your message to the intended context. Be sure to use it to describe a specific stressor, distinguishing it from longer term-conditions, such as depression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become anxious

Focuses more on the anxiety aspect of becoming distressed.

grow anxious

Suggests a gradual increase in anxiety leading to distress.

become upset

Emphasizes the emotional upset rather than the anxiety.

become worried

Highlights the worry or concern aspect of distress.

grow upset

Suggests a gradual increase in feeling upset leading to distress.

feel anxious

Focuses on the internal feeling of anxiety.

feel upset

Focuses on the internal feeling of being upset.

become agitated

Implies a higher level of disturbance and restlessness.

lose composure

Highlights the loss of control over one's emotions.

be unnerved

Highlights feelings of anxiety as the source. Slightly more formal.

FAQs

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

You can use ""get distressed"" to describe someone becoming anxious, worried, or upset in response to a specific event or situation. For instance, "She tends to "get distressed" during thunderstorms".

What are some alternative phrases for "get distressed"?

Instead of ""get distressed"", you could use phrases like "become anxious", "become upset", or "become worried", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "become distressed" instead of "get distressed"?

Yes, "become distressed" is a perfectly acceptable and often more formal alternative to ""get distressed"". Both phrases convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "get distressed" and "get depressed"?

"Get distressed" typically refers to a short-term emotional reaction to a specific stressor, while "get depressed" indicates a more prolonged state of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities.