in distress
idiom
1
: very upset
He was clearly in distress upon hearing the news.
2
: in a very difficult situation in which one does not have enough money, food, etc.
She's chosen to devote her life to helping those in distress.
3
of a boat, airplane, etc.
: in a state of danger or desperate need
The ship was in distress.
Examples of in distress in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Flagg then limped to the bench, clearly in distress, before sitting down.
—
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
After the wombat hisses, seemingly in distress, Jones eventually returns the animal to the bush.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Roughly four million federal student loan borrowers are already behind on payments, a sharp spike in distress that has alarmed policymakers and advocates.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Anyone who sees an animal in distress should call or text the center’s marine team at (310) 924-7256.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in distress
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 16 Mar. 2025
After the wombat hisses, seemingly in distress, Jones eventually returns the animal to the bush.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025
Roughly four million federal student loan borrowers are already behind on payments, a sharp spike in distress that has alarmed policymakers and advocates.
—Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Anyone who sees an animal in distress should call or text the center’s marine team at (310) 924-7256.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in distress
Cite this Entry
“In distress.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20distress. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share