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worry

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb worry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of worry are annoy, harass, harry, pester, plague, and tease. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

When can annoy be used instead of worry?

The words annoy and worry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When is harass a more appropriate choice than worry?

The meanings of harass and worry largely overlap; however, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When would harry be a good substitute for worry?

While the synonyms harry and worry are close in meaning, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When could pester be used to replace worry?

The words pester and worry can be used in similar contexts, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

In what contexts can plague take the place of worry?

Although the words plague and worry have much in common, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use tease instead of worry?

In some situations, the words tease and worry are roughly equivalent. However, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

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 worry
Verb
Vaccine supporters worry that this panel could be dismissive of vaccines and discourage their use. Pien Huang, NPR, 25 June 2025 While some worry about the unpredictability of U.S. policies in recent months, China has yet to present itself as a dependable alternative, said Matt Gertken, chief geopolitical strategist at BCA Research. Lee Ying Shan,evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
Noun
The vectors showed that those with high levels of medical mistrust would be more likely to respond to messages that addressed concerns about the pandemic being a hoax, or the worry that minorities wouldn’t get the same treatment as others. Sarah Bauerle Bass, The Conversation, 23 June 2025 Despite worries about an entry-level-job bloodbath, billionaire JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says businesses are still clamoring for young talent with skills in cybersecurity, coding, and project management. Preston Fore, Fortune, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for worry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worry
Verb
  • One key reason was that the conflict seems to have been resolved relatively quickly, leaving less time for traders to fret about future attacks.
    Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 24 June 2025
  • The stablecoin bill also comes at a time when Wall Street has started to fret about foreign investors and governments turning away from U.S. assets.
    Jesse Pound, CNBC, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • Also on this episode: With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday, the Roundtable takes one more look at the major categories, how the number of submissions has changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in.
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • Orban said in February that organisers should not even bother organizing Pride in Budapest this year.
    Reuters, CNN Money, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • Last week, Venetians gathered together to protest the couple's upcoming wedding festivities over fears of disruptions in a city that is already impacted by mass tourism.
    Christina Dugan Ramirez, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2025
  • The film raked in what would today equal nearly $2.7 billion and left a legacy of fear that fueled shark culls, trophy hunts, and policies rooted more in panic than science.
    Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • But for the first few days, Trump and his team kept stressing that the U.S. was not involved in attacks against Iran.
    Geoff Brumfiel, NPR, 18 June 2025
  • Braniff and others are quick to stress the programs overseen by CP3 aren’t a panacea.
    Will Carless, USA Today, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • As far as disputes are concerned, the technology that has increasingly been used to intercede is blockchain.
    Saro McKenna, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
  • As far as improving from the status quo is concerned, this is the best provision in the bill.
    The Editors, National Review, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • An earlier 2019 study in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance found turbulence, unfamiliar aircraft noises, and the threat of terror attacks were among the top anxiety triggers.
    Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • In addition to being an outstanding source of quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, eggs contain choline, an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in brain health and helps to reduce stress and anxiety by improving emotional well-being.
    Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • As a storyteller, Tyagi isn’t too fussed about making his plot persuasive — the ease with which Nair and his co-counsel Dilreet Gill, played by Ananya Panday, manage to uncover evidence defies logic.
    Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Later, her sister-in-law texts her, upset that her children were disturbed by her departure.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 11 June 2025
  • Many more are disturbed by the politicization of churches and turned off by dogmas that promote hate and discord, finding religious teachings and traditions to be outdated and incompatible with their values.
    James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worry. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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