distress
/dɪˈstɹɛs/noun
Strong pain, worry, or suffering of the body or mind, often sudden and severe.
Example sentences
- “The lost hikers fired a flare to signal their distress.”
- “News of the layoffs caused great distress among the factory workers.”
'In distress' is the fixed phrase for ships, aircraft, and people needing rescue. 'Financial distress' is standard business usage.