Understanding Distress and Distraught: What's the Difference?

Distressed means feeling or showing a great deal of emotional pain or suffering, often to the point of being overwhelmed. It can also refer to a state of being upset or troubled, as in "I was distressed by the news."

Distraught is an older term that is sometimes used to describe someone who is extremely upset or distressed, but it is not commonly used in modern English. It is more formal and less common than other words like "distressed" or "overwhelmed."

For example:

* "She was distraught after her dog passed away."
* "He was distressed by the news of his father's illness."

In general, if you are feeling upset or troubled, you might say that you are distressed. If you are feeling extremely upset or overwhelmed, you might be described as distraught.