Distressing and Startling

Distressing

Distressing adjective - Causing worry or anxiety.

Startling and distressing are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Startling" instead an adjective "Distressing".

Startling

Startling adjective - Causing a strong emotional reaction because of unexpectedness.

Distressing and startling are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Distressing" instead an adjective "Startling".

Nearby Words: startle, startled, startler
Cite this Source
Startling and Distressing. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/startling
Distressing & Startling. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/startling>.
Startling or Distressing. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/distressing/startling.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "distressing" and "startling" have occurred on timeline