distress

Meanings

• psychological suffering
  • "the death of his wife caused him great distress"
• a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)
  • "a ship in distress"
  • "she was the classic maiden in distress"
• extreme physical pain
  • "the patient appeared to be in distress"
• the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim
  • "Originally distress was a landlord's remedy against a tenant for unpaid rents or property damage but now the landlord is given a landlord's lien"
• bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
• cause mental pain to
  • "The news of her child's illness distressed the mother"

Synonyms

distraint, hurt, straiten, suffering