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 of worrisome

• disturbing
• unsettling
• troubling
• frightening

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

Wells Fargo earlier this month lowered its rating on Netflix to underweight , noting trends on that front are worrisome. — Fred Imbert, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026

The very fact that these models are believed to be capable of producing the code for a superbug — and that next time Anthropic may not be as successful in bringing down the gate in time — is worrisome right there. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026

A-fib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat that is a worrisome stage-setter for blood clots, stroke and heart failure. — Maria Sherman, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

More worrisome is whether the Dolphins have a single long-term starter on their defensive line. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 2026

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