profound distress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profound distress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a deep or intense level of emotional suffering or anxiety experienced by an individual. Example: "After receiving the news, she was in profound distress, unable to focus on anything else."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

The new Capitol was about hope for the future during a time of profound distress.

The New York Times

At heart, Safe Schools is about something more practical – making LGBTI kids safe and reducing their profound distress and social isolation.

The Guardian

Even when the awaited decision is little more than a formality, there can be inordinate delays, which cause profound distress to clients, she says.

The Guardian

The injuries and loss of life — to people who came to celebrate a race and a holiday — has caused profound distress and sorrow to Katie and her family.

The New York Times

Out of a profound distress, he created a sculpture of twigs that covered his face and body, masking his race, age and gender when he put it on.

The New York Times

Sometimes they listened to music on headphones and sometimes they talked to the therapist, all the while thinking about the events that had caused such profound distress that they had been unable to revisit it in past psychotherapy sessions.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"They are going through profound emotional distress, broken-hearted, betrayed and angry.

The Guardian

Most studies focus on heterosexual couples and find that some women whose husbands or boyfriends are heavy users experience profound personal distress, negative views of the relationship and diminished self-worth.

The Guardian

The knowledge that treatments will be withdrawn generates profound emotional distress in the family members.

Annals of Intensive Care

For some people, adjusting to a new culture is a minor inconvenience, soon overcome; for others, like the fictional Harris, the experience can become a source of profound psychological distress.

Science Magazine

No one experiencing profound mental distress should be kept – as they so often are – in a prison cell while waiting to see someone who can help them.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profound distress" to describe situations where individuals or groups experience significant emotional or psychological suffering. It conveys a deeper level of impact than simply saying "distress".

Common error

Avoid using "profound distress" to describe everyday inconveniences or mild discomfort. The phrase is best reserved for situations involving serious emotional or psychological impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "profound distress" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable. Examples in Ludwig show it describing intense emotional states.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

36%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profound distress" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe significant emotional suffering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, although it is most common in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations involving genuine and considerable emotional or psychological impact, avoiding overuse in milder situations. Alternatives such as "deep anguish" or "intense suffering" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deep anguish

Focuses more on emotional suffering, replacing "distress" with a stronger term.

intense suffering

Emphasizes the severity of the pain or hardship experienced.

severe affliction

Suggests a more prolonged or chronic state of suffering.

extreme hardship

Highlights the difficult conditions or circumstances causing distress.

acute agony

Implies a sharp, intense, and short-lived period of distress.

deep sorrow

Specifically emphasizes the feeling of sadness and loss.

grave concern

Highlights worry, anxiety and the seriousness of the situation.

intense anxiety

Focuses specifically on feelings of worry, nervousness, or unease.

overwhelming despair

Emphasizes the feeling of hopelessness and loss of courage.

considerable adversity

Focuses on challenging or unfavorable circumstances, rather than emotional state.

FAQs

How can I use "profound distress" in a sentence?

You can use "profound distress" to describe situations where someone is experiencing deep emotional suffering. For example: "The loss of her home caused her "profound distress"."

What are some alternatives to "profound distress"?

Alternatives include "deep anguish", "intense suffering", or "severe affliction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "profound distress" a formal or informal phrase?

"Profound distress" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in formal writing and speech.

What's the difference between "profound distress" and "slight distress"?

"Profound distress" indicates a significant and deep level of emotional suffering, while "slight distress" suggests a minor and less impactful emotional upset.