# distressed

/dɪˈstɹɛst/ (US) · /dɪstɹˈɛst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/distressed
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. upset or worried

adjective · CEFR B2

feeling very upset, worried, or anxious.

For teachers: suffering from high levels of anxiety, sorrow, or mental pain.

- The family was deeply distressed by the news of the accident.
- The social worker noted that the client appeared visibly distressed when discussing the recent changes to her living arrangements.

### 2. made to look old

adjective · CEFR B2

treated so that it looks old or used, like furniture with scratches or faded jeans.

For teachers: intentionally marred, faded, or worn to achieve an antique or vintage aesthetic.

- She bought a distressed wooden table to give her kitchen a rustic feel.
- The fashion label released a line of distressed denim jackets that featured intentional fraying and artificial chemical fading.

### 3. financial trouble

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

describing a business or property that is in serious financial trouble or failing.

For teachers: undergoing severe financial or operational strain, often nearing bankruptcy or foreclosure.

- The bank sold the distressed property at a very low price.
- The private equity firm specialises in acquiring distressed assets and restructuring them to return the companies to profitability.

### 4. to cause worry

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone feel very worried or upset.

For teachers: to cause someone to experience severe emotional pain or anxiety. Transitive use.

- It distressed her to see so many people without homes in the city.
- The graphic nature of the testimony clearly distressed several members of the jury during the afternoon session.

## Examples

- The company is selling its distressed assets to pay off debts.
- Investors often look for distressed properties that they can buy at a low price and renovate for profit.
- The fund specialises in distressed debt, purchasing the obligations of companies facing insolvency in hopes of a significant payout during restructuring.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.