Entry 2 senses · 2 variants Webster, 1913 distressing /(dĭs*trĕs"ĭng)/ · dis·tress·ing · IPA /dɪˈstɹɛsɪŋ/ a. adv. 01 a. Causing distress; painful; unpleasant. 1. Causing distress; painful; unpleasant. 02 adv. In a distressing manner. 1. In a distressing manner.