distress vs adversity

distress and adversity both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
distress	Yes	No	Yes	No
adversity	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, adversity is a hypernym of distress; that is, adversity is a word with a broader meaning than distress:

Other hypernyms of distress include hard knocks, hardship.

distress (noun)	adversity (noun)
the seizure and holding of property as security for payment of a debt or satisfaction of a claim	a stroke of ill fortune; a calamitous event
psychological suffering	a state of misfortune or affliction
extreme physical pain
a state of adversity (danger or affliction or need)

distress (verb)	adversity (verb)
cause mental pain to
bring into difficulties or distress, especially financial hardship