distraught

/dɪˈstrɔːt/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈstrɔːt/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈstrȯt/ (ame, mw)

distraught — 形容詞

  • distraughtpositive
  • more distraughtcomparative
  • most distraughtsuperlative

1. so badly shaken by sadness, worry, or fear that you find it hard to stay calm or

1.形容詞C1
釋義

心煩意亂

因悲傷或擔憂而無法冷靜思考

so badly shaken by sadness, worry, or fear that you find it hard to stay calm or think straight.

例句

Esteban was distraught when his little sister was rushed to hospital with a broken leg.

Esteban 的妹妹腿斷了被緊急送醫，他當時心煩意亂、坐立難安。

be distraught when + clause for sudden cause of distress

Romi sat in the kitchen, distraught over the loss of her old farm dog.

Romi 坐在廚房裡，為了老家那隻農場狗的離世而心煩意亂。

distraught over + noun for ongoing grief

同義詞
  • distressed

    very similar but slightly less extreme; 'distressed' people are upset, 'distraught' people are visibly unable to cope.

  • inconsolable

    stronger and more permanent; describes someone who cannot be comforted at all, especially after a death.

  • frantic

    emphasises panicked, hurried action driven by worry; 'distraught' emphasises inner emotional collapse.

  • beside oneself

    informal idiom with the same meaning; common in spoken English (e.g. 'beside herself with grief').

反義詞
  • calm

    in control of one's emotions; the opposite emotional state.

  • composed

    outwardly steady even in a hard situation, the opposite of visibly distraught.

文法句型

be distraught at/by/over + noun

distraught + that-clause

用法筆記

Subject is almost always a person (or a group of people); the cause is usually a serious event like death, illness, danger, or loss. Prefer 'upset' for milder feelings — 'distraught' suggests the person is barely holding it together.

常見錯誤

❌I was distraught when my coffee was cold this morning.
✅I was annoyed when my coffee was cold this morning.
💡'distraught' is far too strong for everyday frustrations; save it for serious distress.
❌The plan was distraught after the budget was cut.
✅The team was distraught after the budget was cut.
💡'distraught' describes people's feelings, not abstract things like plans or projects.