worrisome

adjective

wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm 

ˈwə-rē-

1

: causing distress or worry

worrisome news

2

: inclined to worry or fret

investors feeling worrisome

worrisomely adverb

worrisomeness noun

Synonyms

• discomforting
• discomposing
• disquieting
• distressing
• disturbing
• nagging
• nasty
• perturbing
• troublesome
• troubling
• troublous
• unsettling
• upsetting

Examples of worrisome in a Sentence

There is the worrisome possibility of hurricane damage on the coast.

the patient's erratic behavior has become increasingly worrisome

Recent Examples on the Web

Coupled with anxieties regarding a possible pullback in advertising spending, this created a worrisome outlook for the company. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025

But worrisome events in Los Angeles suggest that the Trump Administration’s emphasis on government accountability is quite selective. —Mike Fox, Oc Register, 12 May 2025

But clots that don't dissolve or that form abnormally are worrisome. —Daryl Austin, USA Today, 10 May 2025

Potentially more worrisome: searches on Apple’s Safari fell for the first time last month, according to Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of services. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 9 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

worrisome

adjective

wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm 

ˈwə-rē-

1

: causing worry

worrisome news

2

: given to worrying

worrisome parents