WORRY Synonyms: 179 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

worry 1 of 2

verb

ˈwər-ē

Definition of worry

as in to fret

to experience concern or anxiety they worried for days about whether the loan would be approved

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to bother

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy those strange noises outside the house worry me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

worry

2 of 2

noun

as in fear

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble she can only concentrate on something when she is free of worry

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Despite narrowing its losses, investors continue to worry about capital expenditures and slow return on spending. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 Don’t worry, Bates did okay after that, going on to star in classic films like Misery (1990) and Titanic (1997). — Dylan Kickham, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Aug. 2026

Noun

Households are still spending and the jobs market remains resilient, but worries linger for both areas of the economy. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 Clancy wrote about her struggles to get newborn Callan to sleep, and constant worries of his being sick. — Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worry

Recent Examples of Synonyms for worry

Verb

If your drive brings you by Sid’s before lunchtime, don’t fret.

— Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 2 Aug. 2026
Months ago, businesses fretted over adversaries using AI to attack.

— Samantha Subin, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of fret

Verb

My summer dresses will sadly be retired in the coming weeks, but a denim midi skirt is the ideal swap on days when I can’t be bothered to wear jeans.

— Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 4 Aug. 2026
While acknowledging a desire for the honor, Overeem states he's not overly bothered, having faced similar situations throughout his long career.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of bother

Noun

However, analyst Gavin Parsons highlighted that an acceleration in organic revenue growth would settle market fears.

— Assiatou Hann, CNBC, 1 Aug. 2026
Herzog raised fears that the mayor’s rhetoric stokes hate against Jews, including in New York City, which holds the largest Jewish population of any city in the United States.

— Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of fear

Verb

McCarthy stressed there are tools the team can use to refine their tackling technique without driving each other into the turf.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Aug. 2026
Physicians are alarmed, stressing that FDA licensing is crucial for guiding patients, as this decision risks confusing consumers about regulated versus unregulated treatments.

— Joshua P. Cohen, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of stress

Verb

New to this generation, the Galaxy Watch 9 will monitor your overnight vitals, including your blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, and skin temperature, to surface any concerning measurements.

— Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 5 Aug. 2026
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas, the state’s top elections official, conceded the errors that led to lawsuits by Democrats in Hartford and Enfield concerning the gathering of petition signatures in order to force a primary.

— Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

The headlines often focus on uber-selective colleges and universities, the lengths students and parents will go to access them, and the parts of the process of applying that evoke the most anxiety.

— Brennan Barnard, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
One of the most dreadful packing pain points is the anxiety of whether everything will actually fit in your suitcase, which, thankfully, my Away Bigger Carry-on has eliminated.

— Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Verb

Burke’s friends and acquaintances who spoke with Rolling Stone were similarly disturbed.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
China’s introduction of a common buying agency has disturbed what has been an evenly balanced relationship which has sometimes favored one side over the other, but which eventually finds equilibrium.

— Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of disturb

Browse Nearby Words

worrisome

worry

worrying

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worry. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of worry

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on worry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

anecdote

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes