distressing
/dɪˈstresɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [dɪstrˈɛsɪŋ] /dɪˈstresɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [dɪstrˈɛsɪŋ] /di-ˈstres How to pronounce distress (audio)/ (ame, mw)
distressing — adjective
- distressingpositive
- more distressingcomparative
- most distressingsuperlative
1. causing strong sadness or worry, often when you see or hear about another person
causing strong sadness or worry, often when you see or hear about another person's pain or trouble.
The phone call about Vivek's missing son was deeply distressing for the whole family.
collocation: deeply distressing
Seeing floodwater enter the school was distressing for the children inside.
be distressing for + person
Lakan found the video of the injured horse too distressing to finish.
The nurse had to share some distressing test results with Talia.
It was distressing to watch the old bridge collapse into the river.
- upsetting
more everyday and slightly less formal; good for a wide range of unpleasant events
- troubling
milder and more focused on worry or concern than emotional pain
- disturbing
stronger when something shocks you or feels morally wrong
- heartbreaking
stronger and more specific to deep sadness caused by loss or tragedy
- reassuring
reduces fear or worry instead of increasing it
- comforting
makes a difficult situation feel gentler or easier to bear
文法句型
distressing news/images/results
be distressing for + person
be distressing to + infinitive
find + noun + distressing
用法筆記
Often describes news, images, situations, or scenes involving real suffering, danger, or loss. It is slightly more formal than upsetting and usually sounds stronger, especially when the event affects other people rather than being a small personal annoyance.