distress
gb/dɪstɹˈɛs/ us/dɪstɹˈɛs/
B1
English
~ 2600
lelki szenvedés, zaklatottság, vészhelyzet, baj, felzaklat, megbánt, bánt, megsért, anyagi nehézség, pénzügyi nehézség
NOUN
B1
1
zaklatottság
B2
Usage pattern:
in [someone's] distress
The news of the accident caused her great distress.
A baleset híre nagy lelki fájdalmat okozott neki.
He was clearly in distress after hearing the bad news.
Láthatóan nagyon zaklatott volt, miután meghallotta a rossz hírt.
The charity helps families in financial distress.
Her face showed deep distress as she spoke.
The crew sent out a distress signal before the ship sank.
Learner examples
She felt distress after losing her job.
Nagyon megviselte, hogy elvesztette az állását.
The child was in distress when he could not find his mother.
A gyerek kétségbeesett volt, amikor nem találta az anyját.
They sent a distress call to the police.
He looked distressed after the meeting.
The dog was in distress during the storm.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'distress' with 'stress'. 'Stress' can mean everyday pressure or tension, while 'distress' refers to a more severe and negative emotional or physical state.
Meaning
Extreme worry or suffering
Collocations
emotional distress
|cause distress
|in distress
|distress call
|distress signal
Synonyms
anguish (Stronger and more intense emotional pain than 'distress'.)
|
suffering (More general and can refer to physical or emotional pain.)
Antonyms
comfort (A state of physical or emotional ease that is the opposite of distress.)
|
relief (The removal or lessening of pain or worry.)
Themes
emotions
|health
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A feeling of great worry, sadness, or pain.
A state of great mental pain, anxiety, or unhappiness.
NOUN
B1
2
vészhelyzet
B1
baj
A1
Usage pattern:
in [someone's] distress
The hiker was in distress and needed rescue.
A túrázó bajba került, és mentésre szorult.
A distress signal was picked up by the coast guard.
A parti őrség vészjelzést észlelt.
The pilot sent a distress call before losing contact.
Learner examples
The boat was in distress at sea.
A hajó bajba került a tengeren.
They sent a distress signal to the rescue team.
Vészjelzést küldtek a mentőcsapatnak.
The man was in distress after falling in the river.
Meaning
Danger needing urgent help
Collocations
in distress
|distress call
|distress signal
Synonyms
peril (A formal term for serious danger, less common in casual speech.)
|
emergency (A broader term for urgent situations, not only involving danger.)
Antonyms
safety (The condition of being protected from danger.)
Themes
safety
|emergency
|communication
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A state of great danger where help is needed quickly.
A situation where someone is in serious danger and needs immediate assistance.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to distress [someone]
It distresses me to see animals suffer.
The news will deeply distress the community.
She was distressed by his sudden departure.
Learner examples
It distresses me when people are rude.
The bad news distressed her.
He was distressed by the loud noise.
Meaning
Cause someone emotional pain
Collocations
deeply distress
|distress greatly
|distress emotionally
Synonyms
upset (More general and less intense than 'distress'.)
|
trouble (Can suggest causing inconvenience or concern, not always emotional pain.)
Antonyms
comfort (To make someone feel better and less worried.)
|
reassure (To remove someone's worries or fears.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel very sad, worried, or upset.
To make someone feel very upset, anxious, or worried.
NOUN
B2
4
Many families are facing financial distress due to job losses.
Sok család anyagi nehézségekkel küzd a munkahelyek megszűnése miatt.
The company is in economic distress and may close soon.
A cég pénzügyi nehézségekkel küzd, és lehet, hogy hamarosan bezár.
The drought caused severe distress among farmers.
Learner examples
They are in financial distress after losing their jobs.
Anyagi nehézségekkel küzdenek, miután elvesztették az állásukat.
The shop is in economic distress.
A bolt anyagi nehézségekkel küzd.
The family suffered distress because they had no money.
Meaning
Serious difficulty or hardship
Collocations
financial distress
|economic distress
Synonyms
hardship (General word for difficult living conditions, often caused by poverty.)
|
poverty (Refers specifically to lacking enough money to meet basic needs.)
Antonyms
prosperity (A state of success and wealth.)
Themes
economics
|daily life
|finance
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A hard situation, especially when you do not have enough money or things you need.
Severe difficulty or hardship, especially involving lack of money or resources.
Grammar
Dictionary form
distress
IPA
GB/dɪstɹˈɛs/
US/dɪstɹˈɛs/
Syllables & stress
dis - tress (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tress)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: distress
- Plural: distress
Verb
- Base: distress
- 3rd Person Singular: distresses
- Present Participle: distressing
- Past: distressed
Word family
Forms
distresses
verb
distressing
verb
distressed
verb
Related words
distressingly
adverb
Expressions
distress call
1/dɪstɹˈɛs kˈɔl/
fixed phrase
Call for urgent help in danger
A call made to ask for help right away when there is danger.
Examples
- The pilot made a distress call before the plane went down.
- The coast guard responded quickly to the distress call.
distress signal
1/dɪstɹˈɛs sˈɪɡnəl/
fixed phrase
Signal asking for urgent help
A message sent to ask for help in a dangerous situation.
Examples
- The ship sent a distress signal before it sank.
- Pilots are trained to recognize a distress signal immediately.
in distress
1/ˈɪn dɪstɹˈɛs/
fixed phrase
In serious trouble or pain
In a state of great danger, sadness, or pain.
Examples
- The animal was clearly in distress after being trapped.
- She was in distress over the loss of her friend.