worried 1 of 2

adjective

ˈwər-ēd How to pronounce worried (audio)
Definition of worriednext
as in upset
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty the soldier's father had a worried expression as he listened to the news

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

worried

2 of 2

verb

past tense of worry
1
as in feared
to experience concern or anxiety they worried for days about whether the loan would be approved

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy those strange noises outside the house worry me

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of worried
Adjective
Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee said in statements that the vacant posts in a region affected by war have left them particularly worried. — Lauren Morganbesser, semafor.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Investors are worried Musk has oversold them on the company’s future prospects for space travel and its AI chatbot Grok. — Bernard Condon, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
Verb
The resurgence in the number of billion-dollar films has been fueled in part by younger demographics that Hollywood and Wall Street previously worried would abandon cinemas in favor of their phones. — Sarah Whitten, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026 When Gunther von Hagens’s exhibition came to town, security guards worried less about theft than nausea. — Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worried
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worried
  1. upset
  2. feared
  3. alarmed
  4. nervous
  5. fretted
  6. concerned
  7. anxious
  8. stressed
Adjective
  • The Braves opted against parting with their most valuable prospects at the trade deadline, a decision that’s upset part of the fanbase and many around the organization but will require time to judge.
    — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • It’s considered the biggest upset in the history of the tournament.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Verb
  • Midway into her pregnancy, the 26-year-old feared being put into isolation simply for having a fever, a common misconception.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Within a week, Flaco had triumphed over the doubters who feared that an owl raised in captivity wouldn’t have the strength or stamina to survive in the outside world.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of feared
Verb
  • Arizona officials were alarmed at the cuts federal officials are calling for in the three states in the river’s lower basin, the Arizona Republic has reported.
    — Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Public health authorities may be especially alarmed by possible tularemia cases because the bacterium that causes the illness, Francisella tularensis, is a Tier 1 bioterrorism threat.
    — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of alarmed
Adjective
  • Because people are nervous that Tesla’s robotaxi is going to completely take over the autonomous-vehicle market and mobility overall.
    — Fortune Editors, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • For anyone nervous about bringing up price, Bascombe says preparation is the best confidence booster.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Verb
  • Months ago, businesses fretted over adversaries using AI to attack.
    — Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Daniel de Visé Stocks opened lower on July 29, ahead of Federal Reserve action on interest rates, as traders fretted about rising oil prices.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of fretted
Verb
  • Stocks rose after the report, as investors who were concerned the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates breathed a sigh of relief.
    — Steve Kopack, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
  • By that reading, this week’s slide might have had less to do with investors concerned about AI capital expenditures post-earnings, and more with investors taking profits before the event.
    — Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of concerned
Adjective
  • The advice comes as pet parents become increasingly anxious about leaving their furry family members behind.
    — Brittany Anas, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
  • All available polling data indicates that the public mood in Russia is growing more uncertain and anxious.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
Definition of anxious
Verb
  • But official sources briefing Iranian media stressed any reopening of the strait would depend on the United States fulfilling what Tehran sees as its commitment to end its own naval blockade of Iran's ports.
    — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026
  • By voting for the ordinance, Councilman Collin Czilli stressed repeatedly, the Republicans were voting to make the use of bows and arrows, paintball guns and other weapons legal.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of stressed

Browse Nearby Words

worn to a frazzle
worried
worrier
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Cite this Entry

“Worried.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worried. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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