distressed crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com! If you're looking for solutions to the clue "distressed crossword clue," you've come to the right place. We've compiled a comprehensive list of potential answers across various lengths, along with explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "distressed crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
POOR: Often refers to financial distress or a general state of being unfortunate.
5 Letters
UPSET: A common answer for emotional distress, meaning troubled or agitated.
6 Letters
BROKEN: Can refer to being emotionally distressed, or physically damaged to a distressed state.
RUINED: Implies a state of being completely damaged or destroyed, often financially or in reputation.
7 Letters
ANXIOUS: Describes a state of unease or worry, a clear form of emotional distress.
WORRIED: Directly implies a state of mental distress caused by concerns or problems.
More About "distressed crossword clue"
"Distressed" is a versatile word in crosswords, often tricking solvers due to its multiple meanings. It can refer to an emotional state, such as feeling upset, anxious, or sad. In this context, answers like UPSET or WORRIED are common. However, it can also describe a financial state, where someone is in dire economic difficulty, leading to answers like POOR or RUINED.
Beyond emotional and financial hardship, "distressed" can also describe the physical condition of an object or material. For example, "distressed wood" or "distressed jeans" refer to items that have been deliberately made to look old, worn, or weathered. While less common in general crossword clues, this nuance can appear in themed puzzles.
When encountering this clue, always consider the surrounding words in the puzzle, the length of the required answer, and any other intersecting clues. Context is paramount to correctly discerning which specific meaning of "distressed" the constructor intended.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Nuances: Words like "distressed" have multiple meanings. Consider if the clue is asking for an emotional state, a financial condition, or even a physical attribute.
- Check Letter Count: The number of letters is your best friend. Even if you think of several synonyms for "distressed," only those matching the exact count will fit.
- Look at Intersecting Words: The letters you get from perpendicular clues can quickly confirm or eliminate potential answers for "distressed." Don't guess in isolation!
- Consider Parts of Speech: Is the clue functioning as an adjective, a verb, or a noun? Ensure your answer aligns with the expected part of speech.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do crosswords typically interpret the word "distressed"?
Crosswords use "distressed" in various contexts: emotionally (e.g., upset, anxious, worried), financially (e.g., poor, ruined, broke), or physically/materially (e.g., worn, aged, tattered). The specific answer depends heavily on the surrounding letters and the puzzle's overall theme.
What are common synonyms for "distressed" used in puzzles?
Common synonyms for "distressed" that appear in crosswords include 'upset', 'worried', 'anxious', 'troubled', 'sad', 'poor', 'ruined', 'broke', 'worn', and 'aged'. The length of the answer and the context clues are vital for narrowing down the options.
Does the tense of "distressed" matter in a crossword clue?
Yes, the tense can be very important. If the clue is 'distressed' (past tense or adjective), the answer will likely also be in the past tense or an adjective (e.g., WORRIED, TROUBLED). If the clue implies an action or current state, the answer's tense should match accordingly, though 'distressed' itself often functions as an adjective.