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

But for now La’An’s mental state seems to be in a worrisome place, and one that future episodes will have to address. — Keith Phipps, Vulture, 30 July 2026

Open-source models are seen as especially worrisome by AI safety advocates because their guardrails can sometimes be stripped away. — Billy Perrigo, Time, 28 July 2026

If worrisome results are verified, the FDA should be immediately alerted. — Arthur L. Kellermann, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Other factors contributing to the worrisome outlook are high debt burdens in countries most affected by the disease and backsliding on human rights and gender equality, the report noted. — Ed Silverman, STAT, 27 July 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