Synonyms of worry

worry 1 of 2

verb

ˈwər-ē 

1

as in to fret

to experience concern or anxiety

they worried for days about whether the loan would be approved

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fret
• fear
• stress
• fuss
• sweat
• trouble
• bother
• stew
• care a hang
• agonize
• give a hang
• long
• sweat blood
• despair
• pine
• yearn
• chafe

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• take
• tolerate
• endure
• bear
• abide
• sustain
• stomach
• stick out

2

as in to bother

to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy

those strange noises outside the house worry me

Synonyms & Similar Words

• bother
• concern
• disturb
• alarm
• distract
• anger
• upset
• distress
• agitate
• unsettle
• discomfort
• plague
• annoy
• haunt
• dismay
• disquiet
• confuse
• fuss
• irritate
• derail
• discompose
• ail
• exercise
• perturb
• undo
• flurry
• freak (out)
• unhinge
• embarrass
• rattle
• bug
• fret
• weird out
• distemper
• exasperate
• aggravate
• irk
• frazzle
• discourage
• hagride
• harass
• vex
• alarum
• chafe
• pester
• rile
• put off
• fluster
• harry
• put out
• pique
• grate
• get
• bedevil
• peeve
• faze
• gall
• shake up
• discomfit
• disconcert
• confound
• daunt
• mortify
• nettle
• chivvy
• dishearten
• unnerve
• abash
• discountenance
• jar
• chivy
• demoralize
• dispirit
• nonplus

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• settle
• calm
• soothe
• quiet
• alleviate
• compose
• allay
• assuage
• tranquilize
• tranquillize
• placate
• appease
• mollify
• pacify
• conciliate
• propitiate

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

• fear
• concern
• anxiety
• unease
• concernment
• uncertainty
• uneasiness
• nervousness
• apprehension
• fearfulness
• doubt
• agitation
• tension
• panic
• care
• disquiet
• disquietude
• discomfort
• stress
• apprehensiveness
• dread
• anxiousness
• sweat
• perturbation
• solicitude
• desperation
• anguish
• agita
• dismay
• nervosity
• upset
• distress
• disturbance
• tremor
• desperateness
• strain
• jitters
• consternation
• alarm
• angst
• suspense
• torment
• qualm
• distraction
• misgiving
• hand-wringing
• vexation
• presentiment
• jumpiness
• compunction
• discomposure
• franticness
• scruple
• edginess
• alarum
• cold feet
• foreboding
• incertitude

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unconcern
• ease
• content
• peace
• contentment
• calm
• quiet
• tranquillity
• relief
• calmness
• serenity
• easiness
• tranquility
• quietude
• comfort
• consolation
• peacefulness
• placidity
• solace
• placidness
• tranquilness
• sereneness

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

Recent Examples of worry

Verb

Republicans worry that Musk will make good on his promise to fund primary challengers against each and every one of them who voted to give Trump a win. —Philip Elliott, Time, 7 July 2025

Mellinger now worries the department will not be able to meet its five-year goals for key performance indicators, which measure progress on the county’s biggest public health challenges. —Marissa Meador, IndyStar, 7 July 2025

Noun

Yet despite all that, Americans put aside their worries, prejudices and battle scars to come together for the country’s 200th birthday. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 4 July 2025

The House passed its version of the bill in May by a single vote, despite worries about spending cuts and the overall price tag. —Kevin Freking, Fortune, 3 July 2025