98 entries under severe topic. ×

1
sinister(hard, offensive, awful, terrible)
1
startling(adjective, hard, offensive, upsetting)
1
strenuous(adjective, tough, rough, difficult)
1
stringent(adjective, tough, harsh, cruel)
1
threatening(hard, offensive, hopeless, upsetting)
1
unsparing(adjective, tough, rough, difficult)
0
acrimonious(adjective, tough, harsh, unpleasant)
0
antagonistic(adjective, tough, harsh, grim)
0
coldblooded(grim, bleak)
0
grueling(adjective, difficult, harsh, heavy)
0
hard as nails(expression, adjective, idiom, tough)
0
hostile(adjective, tough, harsh, grim)
0
impeding(hard, offensive, upsetting, disturbing)
0
prophetic(hard, offensive, upsetting, disturbing)
0
stern(adjective, tough, harsh, cruel)
0
strict(adjective, tough, harsh, cruel)
0
uncertain(hard, offensive, upsetting, disturbing)
0
unjust(adjective, tough, harsh, grim)
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APASmart Define. (2015). distressing thesaurus. Retrieved September 26, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "distressing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 26, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, distressing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 26 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "distressing thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 26 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>