Distressing
Distressing adjective - Causing worry or anxiety.
Usage example: distressing signs that another war might be imminent
Shocking is a synonym for distressing. In some cases you can use "Shocking" instead an adjective "Distressing".
Shocking
Shocking adjective - Causing fear.
Usage example: the shocking appearance of a shark just a few yards off shore
Distressing is a synonym for shocking in appalling topic. Sometimes you can use "Distressing" instead an adjective "Shocking", if it concerns topics such as outrageous.
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- disturbing and distressing
- disturbing and shocking
- loathsome and distressing
- loathsome and shocking
- nasty and distressing
- nasty and shocking
- grievous and distressing
- grievous and shocking
- abominable and distressing
- abominable and shocking
- deplorable and distressing
- deplorable and shocking
- terrible and distressing
- terrible and shocking
Cite this Source
Shocking and Distressing. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 22, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/shocking
Distressing & Shocking. N.p., 2016. Web. 22 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/shocking>.
Shocking or Distressing. 2016. Accessed July 22, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/shocking.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "distressing" and "shocking" have occurred on timeline