The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ALARMED
I've seen this crossword clue in The Daily Telegraph
A
L
A
R
M
E
D
More clues leading to the result ALARMED
- Almost everyone prepared for contest provided with bell or buzzer
- Frightened by gangster with gun
- Uneasy about a student with guns
- City rising up with weapons can make one thus
- Weapon smuggled in dodgy deal making one this?
- Frightened, a student is ready to fight
- Frightened a learner with a gun, say
- With apprehension of little boys at arm’s length
- Mad Lear runs amok in distress
- Flapping of wings over sea
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "in distress" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case in distress = alarmed.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ALARMED mean?
ALARMED verb- To call to arms for defense
- To give (someone) notice of approaching danger
- To rouse to vigilance and action; to put on the alert.
- To surprise with apprehension of danger; to fill with anxiety in regard to threatening evil; to excite with sudden fear.
- To keep in excitement; to disturb.
- Having an alarm fitted.
- Worried; anxious; panicky.