verb
distress
To deliberately give something a worn or aged appearance.
She distresses the wooden frame to give it a vintage look.
Etymology
The older verb concerns pressing or afflicting. The decorative technique imitates the effects of hard use and damage, deliberately giving an object the appearance of age.
More examples
- You can distress painted furniture with sandpaper.
- He distressed his jeans by fraying the pockets.
- Distressing the leather gives each bag a well-worn appearance.
Forms
distress · distresses · distressed · distressing