Definition of worry
worried
;worrying
transitive verb
2a : to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throatb : to shake or pull at with the teeth a terrier worrying a ratc : to touch or disturb something repeatedlyd : to change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing or hauling
3a : to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : tormentb : to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort
4 : to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxious
intransitive verb
2 : to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing or difficult effort : struggle
3 : to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret worrying about his health
worryingly
adverbFrom the M-W Editors
Examples of worry in a Sentence
We didn't want you to worry.
Don't worry. You'll be fine.
Don't make your parents worry.
When they didn't call after two hours, we began to worry.
They were fine. We needn't have worried.
His poor health worries me.
It doesn't seem to worry him that rain is in the forecast.
We didn't tell you about the accident because we didn't want to worry you.
Recent Examples of worry from the Web
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The value of Ackman's now $1.1 billion stake started to fall Tuesday, as investors worried that the news of sickened Chipotle customers in Sterling, Va., would dissuade other consumers from visiting the Mexican food chain.
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These concerns are why people on both sides of the aisle worry that the procedure has become draconian and unfair to average citizens.
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More broadly, Collins is one of many Republican senators worried about the plan’s deep and steep cuts to Medicaid.
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In some cases, the emails contain not only names, but email addresses, home addresses, phone numbers and places of employment of people worried about such information being made available to the public.
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But thanks to the German constitution, Bismarck didn’t have to worry about pleasing the populace; his chancellorship was approved solely by Wilhelm I.
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Other, moderate Republicans, worry about deep cuts the bill proposes to Medicaid, the federal-state health plan for the poor, disabled and elderly in nursing homes.
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That seems like a pretty reasonable request, but apparently, one councilman is worried that doing so might be a form of microaggression.
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Just think of an Allosaurus trying to break down a Camarasaurus by worrying at its legs and flank, or even the mighty Tyrannosaurus trying to get the right bite to fell a struggling Edmontosaurus.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'worry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of worry
Middle English worien, from Old English wyrgan; akin to Old High German wurgen to strangle, Lithuanian veržti to constrict
Synonym Discussion of worry
worry
Definition of worry
worries
1a : mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxietyb : an instance or occurrence of such distress or agitation
2 : a cause of worry : trouble, difficulty
Examples of worry in a Sentence
She finally ended months of worry over her credit card debt when she finished paying off her bill.
His high blood pressure is cause for worry.
Our greatest worry is that she'll get lost.
His only worry right now is getting to the airport on time.
His mother's health is a constant worry.
Recent Examples of worry from the Web
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If pool’s not your thing, no worries—backgammon and darts abound. 35.
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The commission, created under the Civil Rights Act and funded by Congress, expressed specific worry in seven agencies under the president, including the Department of Education and the Department of Justice.
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An alternate form of therapy Lozano encourages kids like Katherine, John and Britzy to get involved with the church rather than succumb to such worry and fear.
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An alternate form of therapy Lozano encourages kids like Katherine, John and Britzy to get involved with the church rather than succumb to such worry and fear.
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Positive reception of the program early on proved that public safety was not the only worry.
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In the modern world, the stresses of managing dual careers or the worries about the hypercompetitive world that one’s children may face can interfere with the kind of nurturing that infants need.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'worry.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
First Known Use of worry
1804
Synonym Discussion of worry
WORRY Defined for English Language Learners
worry
playDefinition of worry for English Language Learners
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: to think about problems or fears : to feel or show fear and concern because you think that something bad has happened or could happen
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: to make (someone) anxious or upset : to cause (someone) to worry
worry
Definition of worry for English Language Learners
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: a feeling of concern about something bad that might happen : the state or condition of worrying about something
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: a problem or concern : something that causes you to be worried
WORRY Defined for Kids
Definition of worry for Students
worried
;worrying
1 : to feel or express great concern I worry about Grandma's health.
2 : to make anxious or upset The child's illness worried his parents.
3 : to shake and tear with the teeth The puppy was worrying an old shoe.
worrier
\-ē-ər\ nounLearn More about worry
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See words that rhyme with worry Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for worry Spanish Central: Translation of worry Nglish: Translation of worry for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of worry for Arabic speakers
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