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Distraught - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Distraught means extremely upset, anxious, or overwhelmed by emotions, often to the point of being unable to think clearly. It describes someone deeply troubled or agitated.

distraught

/dɪˈstrɔt/ /dɪˈstrɔːt/

Definition:

Deeply upset, agitated, or distracted due to extreme worry or grief.

Synonyms:

frantic, overwrought, agitated, distressed

Part of Speech:

adjective

Antonyms:

calm, composed

Common Collocations:

distraught mother, distraught expression, distraught over loss

Derivatives:

distraughtly, distraughtness

Usage Tips:

Use "distraught" to describe someone overwhelmed by emotion, often due to distress or anxiety.

Common Phrases:

beside oneself with grief, in a state of distress, at one's wits' end

Etymology:

From Middle English "distraught," past participle of "distracten," influenced by Old French "destrait."

Examples:

  • 1. She looked distraught after hearing the bad news.
  • 2. The distraught parents searched everywhere for their missing child.
  • 3. He was too distraught to speak clearly about the accident.
  • 4. Her voice sounded distraught over the phone as she explained the situation.

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