distress

B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun

n. a situation where a ship, aircraft, or person is in serious danger and needs help.

n. a state of extreme necessity or misfortune; a condition of being in danger and in need of urgent assistance.

“The ship sent out a distress signal after the engine failed in the storm.”

“The coastguard received a distress call from a small fishing vessel that had lost power ten miles offshore.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make someone feel very worried or upset.

v. to cause someone to experience severe anxiety, sorrow, or pain.

“It distressed her to see the animals living in such poor conditions.”

“The graphic images in the documentary may distress some viewers, so a warning was issued before the broadcast.”

C1 · Advanced Technical

v. to treat a new object, like furniture or clothes, so that it looks old or used.

v. to intentionally age or weather an object to give it a vintage or antique appearance.

“She used sandpaper to distress the edges of the new wooden picture frame.”

“The costume designer had to distress the new leather jackets to make the gang members look like they had lived on the streets for years.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Law Formal · Technical

n. the legal act of taking someone's property because they owe money.

n. the seizure of a person's property without legal process to compel the payment of a debt.

“The landlord threatened a distress for rent if the tenant did not pay immediately.”

“The historical right of distress allowed creditors to seize chattels as security until the outstanding arrears were satisfied.”