[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/distress/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [D](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/d/) / distress # distress noun (distress; uncountable mostly); verb (distress, distresses, distressed, distressing) «distress» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Great worry, sadness or pain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#m1) 2. A situation of danger where help is badly needed: «a ship in distress». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#m2) 3. (verb) To make someone very worried or upset. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#m3) 4. (verb) To make furniture or clothes look old on purpose: «distressed jeans». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#m4) ### In the lessons In safety lessons: a «distress signal» (like a flare or SOS) calls for help; animals or people «in distress» need help from an adult or emergency services. In stories it shows a character is very upset or in danger: «a damsel in distress». Phrases: «in distress», «distress call», «distress signal», «cause distress», «emotional distress». ### Examples - The ship sent out a distress signal. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x1) - The puppy whimpered in distress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x2) - Her tears showed her distress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x3) - Seeing the injured bird distressed the children. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x4) - Lifeguards help swimmers in distress. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x5) - The news caused great distress to the family. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x6) - The jeans are distressed to look old. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x7) - Her evident distress caused the sly Fox much amusement. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/#x8) ### Note Double s at the end. Adjective: «distressed» (upset, or made to look old) and «distressing» (causing upset). Safety: if you see someone in distress, tell an adult or call emergency services (999 UK/Ireland, 911 US/Canada, 000 Australia, 111 NZ). ## In Jewish tradition In the Torah it often means a time of danger or trouble, when a person turns to God. **Interpretation.** Tradition reads Moses' words in Deuteronomy as saying that Israel can always return to God in trouble, and that return (teshuvah) is always open. ### Examples - In thy distress, when all these things are come upon thee, in the end of days, thou wilt return to the LORD thy God, and hearken unto His voice; (Torah DEU.4.30, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x1) - and let us arise, and go up to Beth-el; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.' (Torah GEN.35.3, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x2) - And they said one to another: 'We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.' (Torah GEN.42.21, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x3) - Nevertheless He looked upon their distress, when He heard their cry; (Writings PSA.106.44, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x4) - In my distress I called unto the LORD, and He answered me. (Writings PSA.120.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x5) - The troubles of my heart are enlarged; O bring Thou me out of my distresses. (Writings PSA.25.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/#x6) ### Note Double s at the end. Adjective: «distressed» (upset, or made to look old) and «distressing» (causing upset). Safety: if you see someone in distress, tell an adult or call emergency services (999 UK/Ireland, 911 US/Canada, 000 Australia, 111 NZ). ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «distress» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/distress/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«distress» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/distress.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «distress» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/D/distress/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«distress» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/distress.html) on Mova free.