Main Entry:

¹wor·ry

Pronunciation:

\ˈwər-ē, ˈwə-rē\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

wor·ried; wor·ry·ing

Etymology:

Middle English worien, from Old English wyrgan; akin to Old High German wurgen to strangle, Lithuanian veržti to constrict

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1dialect British : choke, strangle2 a: to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat b: to shake or pull at with the teeth <a terrier worrying a rat> c: to touch or disturb something repeatedly d: to change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing or hauling3 a: to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : torment b: to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort4: to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxiousintransitive verb1dialect British : strangle, choke2: to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing or difficult effort : struggle3: to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret <worrying about his health>

— wor·ried·ly \-(r)ēd-lē, -(r)əd-\ adverb

— wor·ri·er \-(r)ē-ər\ noun

— wor·ry·ing·ly adverb

synonyms worry, annoy, harass, harry, plague, pester, tease mean to disturb or irritate by persistent acts. worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation <pursued a policy of worrying the enemy>. annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks <you're doing that just to annoy me>. harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power <harassed on all sides by creditors>. harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment <the strikers had been harried by thugs>. plague implies a painful and persistent affliction <plagued all her life by poverty>. pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks <constantly pestered with trivial complaints>. tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath <children teased the dog>.