What is distress?
What is distress?
- To cause strain, anxiety, or suffering to. See Synonyms at trouble.
- Law To hold the property of (a person) against the payment of debts.
- To mar or otherwise treat (an object or fabric, for example) to give the appearance of an antique or of heavy prior use: "There are the fakes—new rugs which have been intentionally distressed for an older look” ( Hatfield MA Valley Advocate).
- Archaic To constrain or overcome by harassment.
- Anxiety or mental suffering.
- Severe strain resulting from exhaustion or an accident.
- Acute physical discomfort.
- Physical deterioration, as of a highway, caused by hard use over time: pavement distress.
- The condition of being in need of immediate assistance: a motorist in distress.
- Law The act of distraining or seizing to compel payment.
- Law The goods thus seized.