greatly distressed

USAGE SUMMARY

"greatly distressed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is feeling overwhelmed with strong emotion such as sadness or worry. Example: She was greatly distressed by the news of her grandmother's passing.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

All greatly distressed".

The Guardian

I would like you to know that she is greatly distressed over Danny's situation".

The New York Times

And Derek said, 'Look at that — isn't that just amazing?' " Because he admired Williams so much, it greatly distressed him that their views were so far apart.

The New Yorker

His devotion to the Union was strong, but he was greatly distressed at what he considered an unnecessary conflict between the states.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The group, known by its Spanish acronym CLAR, said it was greatly distressed that the document had been published and apologized to the pope.

The New York Times

My guess is that the book-buying upper-middle class of America today is greatly distressed when it looks at the world around it, specifically at two things.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It was a union with which its subjects identified, whose loss distressed them greatly.

The Economist

I resolved to keep a close eye on the family by offering to treat Roderick's war wounds that still distressed him greatly.

The Guardian - Books

It distressed the waiter greatly to have his customer refuse the dessert, because he was not allowed to deduct it from the price of the luncheon.

The New Yorker

When Iyal is distressed, Chancer is distressed.

The New York Times - Magazine

You are distressed because they are distressed.

Health and Place

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "greatly distressed" to convey a strong sense of worry, sorrow, or disturbance caused by specific events or circumstances. Ensure that the context clearly indicates the source of the distress for maximum impact.

Common error

Avoid using "greatly distressed" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "very upset" or "really worried" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatly distressed" functions as an intensifier (the adverb "greatly") modifying an adjective ("distressed"), indicating a significant degree of emotional upset or worry. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatly distressed" is a grammatically correct and widely accepted way to express a strong feeling of emotional upset. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for describing situations where someone experiences considerable worry, sorrow, or disturbance. While versatile, its usage leans towards formal contexts such as news reports, scientific articles, and encyclopedic entries. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "very upset" or "really worried" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "greatly distressed" when you want to emphasize the intensity of someone's negative emotional state, ensuring the context clearly identifies the cause of their distress.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply troubled

Replaces "distressed" with "troubled" to emphasize a state of worry or concern.

extremely worried

Focuses on the aspect of worry as the primary emotion.

severely disturbed

Suggests a significant disruption of emotional peace.

acutely upset

Highlights the intensity and sharpness of the emotional distress.

intensely bothered

Implies a strong feeling of annoyance and unease.

highly agitated

Indicates a state of restlessness and heightened anxiety.

greatly saddened

Directly addresses the feeling of sadness caused by the distress.

profoundly affected

Emphasizes the deep impact of the situation causing distress.

extremely concerned

Highlights worry and apprehension about a particular situation.

terribly upset

Uses "terribly" to amplify the feeling of being upset.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatly distressed" to describe someone experiencing significant emotional upset due to a specific event or situation. For example, "She was "greatly distressed" by the news."

What are some alternatives to "greatly distressed"?

Alternatives include "deeply troubled", "extremely worried", or "severely disturbed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "greatly distressed" formal or informal?

"Greatly distressed" leans toward the formal side. In more casual contexts, consider using phrases like "really upset" or "very worried".

What does "greatly distressed" mean?

It means experiencing a high degree of emotional upset, worry, or sorrow. The "greatly" intensifies the feeling of distress.