📖 WordNook

distress

noun
  1. 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”
    distraint
  2. psychological suffering
    “The death of their sibling caused them great distress.”
    hurtsuffering
  3. extreme physical pain
    “The patient appeared to be in distress.”
  4. a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)
    “a ship in distress”
verb
  1. cause mental pain to
    “I was distressed by the news of my grandparent's illness.”
  2. bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship
    straiten