distraught

[dih-strawt]

adjective

1. distracted; deeply agitated.

2. mentally deranged; crazed.

distraught

/ dɪˈstrɔːt /

adjective

1. distracted or agitated

2. rare,  mad

Other Word Forms

• distraughtly adverb
• overdistraught adjective
• undistraught adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of distraught¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English variant of obsolete distract “distracted,” by association with straught, old past participle of stretch; distract

Word History and Origins

Origin of distraught¹

C14: changed from obsolete distract through influence of obsolete straught, past participle of _stretch

Example Sentences

She was best known to most of the public as the elegant woman who presented the trophies at Wimbledon each year, once famously having to comfort a distraught losing finalist.

From BBC

"I couldn't see straight. I was just distraught. We basically lost the baby at, like, 24 weeks."

From BBC

The woman said she was "distraught" and the encounter lasted about a minute.

From BBC

Slater appeared visibly distraught — throwing his helmet, slamming his hand on the cart and burying his face in his hands.

From Los Angeles Times

Those who remained were so distraught the company called in grief counselors.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitated 
• anxious 
• concerned 
• confused 
• crazy 
• distressed 
• frantic 
• hysterical 
• mad 
• perturbed 
• tormented www.thesaurus.com
• troubled www.thesaurus.com