98 entries under severe topic. ×

8
irritating(verb, adjective, hard, rough)
8
perturbing(adjective, hard, happy, pain)
8
trying(verb, adjective, hard, tender)
8
unpleasant(adjective, tough, harsh, tender)
7
creepy(adjective, hard, offensive, awful)
7
discomforting(verb, adjective, hard, offensive)
6
dismaying(adjective, hard, offensive, disgusting)
6
embarrassing(adjective, hard, offensive, awkward)
6
harassing(verb, hard, offensive, upsetting)
6
harsh(adjective, hard, tough, rough)
6
vexatious(adjective, hard, sharp, rough)
6
vexing(adjective, hard, offensive, upsetting)
5
bleak(adjective, tough, obscure, harsh)
5
disconcerting(adjective, hard, offensive, awkward)
5
frightening(adjective, hard, offensive, upsetting)
5
gloomy(adjective, hard, offensive, awful)
5
onerous(adjective, hard, rough, difficult)
5
serious(adjective, tough, rough, difficult)
4
alarming(adjective, hard, offensive, upsetting)
4
disagreeable(adjective, hard, tough, rough)
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APASmart Define. (2015). distressing thesaurus. Retrieved September 24, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "distressing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 24, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, distressing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 24 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "distressing thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 24 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>