: 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
Ronni SandroffThere was an ominous and worried expression on their faces.—Jack London
Jack London… his mother was so worried she sent for the doctor.—E. B. White
E. B. White
worriedly
adverb
"Well, what did you think when you heard the news?" Jimmy asked us worriedly.
—Bobbie Ann Mason
Bobbie Ann Mason
… Roy thought it was from a snakebite, and worriedly glanced around.
—Carl Hiaasen
Carl Hiaasen
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
Around that time, Celeste’s family and friends became increasingly worried about her safety and whereabouts, urgently pleading for help from their neighbors, the public and police.
—Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Two months into communicating with Niamh, not seeing any money flowing back into her crypto wallets, Holder became worried.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Environmentalists are also worried about what hundreds of these vehicles flying around every day could mean for bird populations.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
For months, potential candidates dropped in and opted out, two Republicans led the polls in one of the nation’s bluest states, Democratic leaders were openly worried that the GOP could win the governorship by default with a 1-2 finish in the primary and, finally, scandal forced Swalwell out.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worried
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Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
Two months into communicating with Niamh, not seeing any money flowing back into her crypto wallets, Holder became worried.
—Anna Schecter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026
Environmentalists are also worried about what hundreds of these vehicles flying around every day could mean for bird populations.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2026
For months, potential candidates dropped in and opted out, two Republicans led the polls in one of the nation’s bluest states, Democratic leaders were openly worried that the GOP could win the governorship by default with a 1-2 finish in the primary and, finally, scandal forced Swalwell out.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for worried
Cite this Entry
“Worried.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worried. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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