distress

One entry found for distress.

Main Entry: ²distress
Function: transitive verb
1 : to subject to great strain or difficulties <homes distressed by poverty>
2 archaic : to force or overcome by inflicting pain
3 : to cause to worry or be troubled : UPSET <don't let the news distress you>
4 : to mar (as clothing or wood) deliberately to give an effect of age <a distressed table>
- dis·tress·ing·ly /-'stre-si[ng]-lE/ adverb