distraught
UK: dɪˈstrɔːt | US: dɪˈstrɔːt
adj. deeply agitated or distracted, especially due to emotional distress
adj. mentally confused or deranged (archaic)
"Distraught" evolved from Middle English distraught, the past participle of distraien (to distract), itself derived from Latin distractus (drawn apart). The root dis- (apart) + traught (drawn) reflects the literal sense of being "pulled in different directions," later metaphorizing to mental agitation. The archaic spelling traught (from Old French trait) preserves the original verb form, while modern "distracted" replaced it in regular usage.
She was distraught after hearing the tragic news.
His distraught expression revealed his inner turmoil.
The distraught mother searched frantically for her lost child.
He became distraught when his plans fell apart.
The crowd grew distraught as the situation escalated.