Distress | Mean of distress in English Dictionary

/dɪˈstrɛs/

• Noun
• unhappiness or pain
1. Citizens voiced their distress over delays in fixing the problem.
2. The patient showed no obvious signs of distress.
3. He suffered severe emotional distress as a result of the accident.
4. The new drug can cause abdominal/gastric distress. [=stomach pain]
5. a cry of distress
6. He was clearly in distress [=very upset] upon hearing the news.
• a very difficult situation in which you do not have enough money, food, etc.
1. She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress. [=in trouble, in need]
2. Donations were given to families in (financial) distress.
• a state of danger or desperate need
1. The ship was in distress. [=the ship was possibly going to sink]
2. The Coast Guard responded to the ship's distress signal/call. [=signal or call for help]
• Verb

• to worry or upset (someone)
1. The news distressed [=disturbed] her.
2. I was distressed to learn that the hospital had closed.