worried

adjective

wor·​ried ˈwər-ēd 

ˈwə-rēd

: mentally troubled or concerned : feeling or showing concern or anxiety about what is happening or might happen

worried parents

a worried frown

I'm not too worried about the weather.

He was worried sick. [=extremely worried]

But the technological intrusion of prenatal testing leaves expectant parents more worried than reassured.

—Ronni Sandroff

There was an ominous and worried expression on their faces.

—Jack London

… his mother was so worried she sent for the doctor.

—E. B. White

worriedly adverb

"Well, what did you think when you heard the news?" Jimmy asked us worriedly.

—Bobbie Ann Mason

… Roy thought it was from a snakebite, and worriedly glanced around.

—Carl Hiaasen

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight

Examples of worried in a Sentence

the soldier's father had a worried expression as he listened to the news

Recent Examples on the Web

Roy also questioned why Democrats who claim noncitizens are not voting in elections are against the measure and accused his opposing party of being worried noncitizen voting will end. —Asher Notheis, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Sep. 2024

Companies were less worried about complying with AI regulations and the use of their own proprietary data in AI models. —John Kell, Fortune, 4 Sep. 2024

When the call came, Rossellini was incredulous, worried that returning to the company would dredge up all that history. —Brent Lang, Variety, 4 Sep. 2024

Stock traders are worried that potential weakness in the economy could make companies think twice before investing in the promising but still risky and unproven technology. —David Goldman, CNN, 4 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing worried

• worried sick

Kids Definition

worried

adjective

wor·​ried

ˈwər-ēd,

ˈwə-rēd

: having worries : marked by or showing worry

very worried about the test

a worried look

worriedly adverb