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

Some like demoticusername were worried and even apprehensive to come to KC in the wake of shootings and England’s team equipment being stolen, but said that everything went fine. — Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

In a survey of people who were dropped from the program, 3 in 4 worried about their physical health and 6 in 10 about their mental health, with many citing cost as the barrier to finding new coverage. — Aparna Soni, Fortune, 14 July 2026

It's been feared, worried about, and at times cursed out, but the closure is here, and progress is coming along. — Chris Hoffman, CBS News, 13 July 2026

The company also has pledged to release at least 30 theatrical films per year, at a time when much of the industry is worried about the future of exhibition in general. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 13 July 2026

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