distress
dih-STRESS
/dɪˈstrɛs/
Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain; in nautical terms, a situation of severe immediate danger requiring urgent help.
In water safety, 'distress' specifically denotes an impending threat to life or vessel survival.
The story behind the word. From Old French 'destresse', based on Latin 'distringere', meaning to pull or bind tightly. The feeling of being pulled apart captures both mental torture and physical peril.
Word relationships
- peril: Peril emphasizes immediate physical danger, whereas distress includes emotional pain or emergency conditions.
- safety: Freedom from danger or risk.
Commonly confused with
- stress: Stress is general pressure; distress implies extreme danger or suffering.
Word family
- distressed (adjective): Suffering from extreme anxiety or physical difficulty.
- distressing (adjective): Causing anxiety or pain.
Collocations
- distress call
- distress signal
- in distress
- distress beacon
Idioms & expressions
- in dire distress
Example sentences
- "The vessel broadcast a distress signal after taking on water in heavy seas." Emergency radio call
Memory hook
DIStress causes DISaster if not addressed promptly. Stretched to the limit in extreme danger.
When not to use
Do not use for minor inconvenience or mild delays.
Fun facts
- Nautical distress flags flown upside down traditionally signify immediate danger.
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