128 entries under upsetting topic. ×

31
grievous(adjective, mean, tough, severe, rough)
24
painful(adjective, moving, tough, severe, rough)
22
severe(adjective, tough, difficult, harsh, tender)
20
disturbing(adjective, hard, moving, severe, happy)
16
worrisome(adjective, hard, severe, happy, pain)
16
worrying(adjective, hard, severe, offensive, uncertain)
15
awful(adjective, bad, severe, sad, tender)
15
terrible(adjective, severe, difficult, sad, tender)
15
troublesome(adjective, severe, rough, happy, difficult)
13
depressing(adjective, hard, obscure, sad, pain)
13
hurtful(adjective, severe, tender, unpleasant, awful)
12
dire(adjective, severe, tender, unpleasant, awful)
11
bitter(adjective, hard, moving, tough, rough)
11
difficult(adjective, severe, rough, harsh, tender)
11
woeful(adjective, mean, moving, poor, low)
10
annoying(adjective, rough, tender, offensive, unpleasant)
10
bad(adjective, severe, poor, sad, offensive)
10
burdensome(adjective, difficult, offensive, awkward, shocking)
10
disquieting(adjective, hard, severe, happy, pain)
10
hard(adjective, rough, difficult, harsh, tender)
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APASmart Define. (2015). distressing thesaurus. Retrieved September 23, 2026, from https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms
ChicagoSmart Define. 2015. "distressing thesaurus" https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms (accessed September 23, 2026).
HarvardSmart Define 2015, distressing thesaurus, Smart Define, viewed 23 September, 2026, <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>.
MLASmart Define. "distressing thesaurus" 3 August 2015. Web. 23 September 2026. <https://smartdefine.org/distressing/thesaurus/synonyms>