worrying

adjective

wor·​ry·​ing ˈwər-ē-iŋ 

ˈwə-rē-

: causing worry : creating reason for worry : troubling

a worrying trend/development

a worrying question

The presence of the knife on the stage of the murder was a worrying circumstance for Wilson.

—Mark Twain

worryingly adverb

When the secretary returned, she handed us an envelope that looked worryingly official …

—Caroline Alexander

… money held by households has risen at a worryingly slow rate over the past year …

—The Economist

Examples of worrying in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Now, professionals’ belief in their ability to bounce back after a layoff has fallen to a worrying low. —Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 Jan. 2026

But rates have been increasing at a worrying pace among adults younger than 50. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 26 Jan. 2026

In context, five unspectacular games (he was not involved in the January 15 win at Como) are not overly worrying. —Greg O'Keeffe, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Guests can store bags securely before check-in or after checkout without waiting or worrying. —Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for worrying

• currying
• hurrying
• scurrying