distressed
/dɪˈstɹɛst/
Group 12Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain; in a poor condition from age or use GRE
Example in Context
The distressed communities bore the brunt of the economic recession, with unemployment rates nearly triple the national average.
Synonyms
upsettroubledanguished
Etymology
Feeling pulled apart by anxiety or sorrow.
- dis- (Latin) — apart
- stringere (Latin) — to draw tight
Memory Aid
👗Sounds like “this-dress”
When your DRESS is too tight, you feel DISTRESSED and want to rip it apart!
Visual Association
😢A person sitting on the floor with their head in their hands, surrounded by old, torn clothes.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “distressed” mean on the GRE?
distressed (adjective) means “Suffering from anxiety, sorrow, or pain; in a poor condition from age or use”. The distressed communities bore the brunt of the economic recession, with unemployment rates nearly triple the national average.
How to remember “distressed” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “distressed” sounds like “this-dress”. When your DRESS is too tight, you feel DISTRESSED and want to rip it apart!
What are synonyms for “distressed”?
Common synonyms: upset, troubled, anguished.