distressfulness
- noun
- /dɪˈstrɛsfəl.nəs/
- The distressfulness of the news left everyone in shock and concern.
Examples
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She spoke about the distressfulness of living through natural disasters.
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The distressfulness of the situation was overwhelming.
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The distressfulness of the situation was evident on his face.
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Her distressfulness during the exam was evident.
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She spoke about the distressfulness of losing a loved one, which can deeply affect mental health.
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The distressfulness of the news about the pandemic caused many people to worry and feel anxious.
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The distressfulness of the long wait for news made everyone feel uneasy.
Synonyms
36
3.4
How bad or dangerous a situation is
1
3.4
A state that causes physical or emotional hurt
1
4.4
How much a situation makes people feel worried or tense
A state that causes strong worry and emotional pain
To cause problems, worry, or bother
Antonyms
How Distressing
Surface Forms
Morphology
distressfulness = distressful (transparent) = distress + ful + ness
The formation from the adjective 'distressful' to the noun with '-ness' is a standard, clearly derivable nominalization.
Etymology
The word distressfulness comes from distress, which goes back to the old root dis- + stringere meaning 'to pull tight'. Imagine being pulled so tight you feel pain or pressure — that image becomes worry or sorrow, so distressfulness means the quality of causing strong anxiety or discomfort.