worrisome

adjective

wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm How to pronounce worrisome (audio)
ˈwə-rē-
1
: causing distress or worry
worrisome news
2
: inclined to worry or fret
investors feeling worrisome
worrisomely adverb
worrisomeness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Starting And Stopping An Intelligence Explosion There are additional controversies in this worrisome basket. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 California has seen more measles cases this year than all of 2024 The worrisome development comes as the nation is suffering its largest outbreak of the super-infectious disease in decades. Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 Sigal Ratner-Arias: This is already happening and is very worrisome. Sigal Ratner-Arias, Billboard, 20 June 2025 There is Trump’s worrisome history of indulging or even admiring Putin, while showing contempt for his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for worrisome

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of worrisome was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worrisome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worrisome. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

worrisome

adjective
wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm How to pronounce worrisome (audio)
ˈwə-rē-
1
: causing worry
worrisome news
2
: given to worrying
worrisome parents

More from Merriam-Webster on worrisome

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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