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 of worried

• upset
• nervous
• anxious
• uneasy
• troubled
• apprehensive
• concerned

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

The mayor later told CBS News New York he was shocked by the arrest, but also said residents should not be worried about the department's ability to function at a high level. —Mark Prussin, CBS News, 21 Dec. 2025

Residents were particularly worried about the potential danger to their families if the snake remained in the neighborhood. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 21 Dec. 2025

Star recently reported that some in Perry’s circle are worried Trudeau likes the public side of the relationship a little too much. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 19 Dec. 2025

At the same time, Giannatos wasn’t overly worried. —Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for worried

• curried
• flurried
• hurried
• scurried
• unburied
• unhurried

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