distraught
adjUK /dɪsˈtɹɔːt/
Etymology From Middle English distraught, blend of distract (“distracted”) and straught (“stretched, distraught”), past participle of strecchen (“to stretch”). Compare also bestraught, extraught, forstraught, etc. More at distract, stretch.
1
Deeply hurt, saddened, or worried; incapacitated by distress.
- His distraught widow cried for days, feeling very alone.
- […]Karius was a danger to his own team, responsible for Madrid’s two other goals and last seen wandering aimlessly around the pitch – alone, distraught and clearly traumatised – to ask forgiveness, hands clasped, from the thousands of Liverpool supporters.2018 May 26, Daniel Taylor, “Liverpool go through after Mohamed Salah stops Manchester City fightback”, in The Guardian (London):
1 more example
- Harry was said to be “distraught” about the decision, made just days before the family was due to arrive, but was reportedly keen to find a way to make the trip work.2026 June 28, Josh Halliday, quoting Prince Harry, “Prince Harry may cancel UK family visit after being refused police protection”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
2
Mad; insane.
- Derived terms
- distraughtly, distraughtness, undistraught