worrying

verb

Definition of worryingnext
present participle of worry
1
as in fretting
to experience concern or anxiety they worried for days about whether the loan would be approved

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 worrying Spending so much time with Raskova’s frown was a miscalculation, when Sasha and Anastasia falling for each other, and Valya worrying about how Tanya’s past would haunt them forever, were so much more compelling. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 July 2026 Permission to retire, to spend, to travel, to help family members and to stop worrying about market headlines. — Nathaniel Tilton, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 The shadow of the war will loom over the upcoming midterm elections in November – something Republicans have privately been worrying about for months amid growing voter discontent over the war. — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 9 July 2026 Those brewing herbal and whole-leaf teas will be able to use this style of infuser without worrying about finding too much leaf sediment on the bottom of their mug. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 The United States has spent years worrying about slowing business creation. — Anthony Hernandez, Fortune, 5 July 2026 This common form of anxiety arises when dogs are left alone for an amount of time, often worrying that they will permanently be left behind. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said. — Annie Ma, Los Angeles Times, 2 July 2026 Taken together, the actions signal a worrying return to a reality where people with disabilities are pushed to the margins of society, advocates said. — ABC News, 1 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worrying
  1. fretting
  2. bothering
  3. stressing
  4. alarming
  5. fearing
  6. disturbing
  7. sweating
  8. distracting
Verb
  • Barely a month ago, there was plenty of fretting that FIFA had grossly overestimated the crowds that would descend on the tournament’s host cities and stadiums.
    — Henri Hollis, AJC.com, 9 July 2026
  • Perspective and light is warped through their green plastic, creating a mesmerizing effect that might also have ’80s kids fretting about CD sleeves.
    — Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of fretting
Verb
  • Travis was snapped having a blast bothering Jason as the duo attended a match between Jupiter Links GC and The Bay Golf Club at SoFi Center on March 3.
    — Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 2 July 2026
  • For now, the Royals hope to figure out exactly what’s bothering him.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2026
Definition of bothering
Verb
  • No doubt many other religious institutions have seized on the World Cup with these and other emphases, including evangelizing and otherwise stressing their uniqueness.
    — Vahe Gregorian July 10, Kansas City Star, 10 July 2026
  • Le Pen’s public positioning and rhetoric were conscious of the dynamic with Bardella, repeatedly stressing how close and loyal the two were.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 8 July 2026
Definition of stressing
Verb
  • So, even just the unusual presence of an aircraft in this area made this incident alarming for one resident, Anna, who spoke to CNN near the scene.
    — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 26 June 2026
  • At the same time, the state’s spending keeps growing quickly as well, alarming the Legislative Analyst’s Office, which advises the Legislature on fiscal matters.
    — Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2026
Definition of alarming
Verb
  • European automakers, likely fearing a massive customer backlash, lobbied hard to get the proposal tossed.
    — Byron Hurd, The Drive, 9 July 2026
  • Nations like Mongolia, Bhutan, and Nepal are acutely aware of the danger, fearing that not capitulating on the Dalai Lama succession issue could open the door to broader Chinese territorial claims.
    — Charlie Campbell, Time, 9 July 2026
Definition of fearing
Verb
  • The officer wrote that Gatz had been living in the area for several months and was disturbing the surrounding vegetation.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 7 July 2026
  • Platner has faced multiple allegations of reckless and drunken behavior and disturbing behavior toward women since launching his campaign in August.
    — Sara Dorn, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of disturbing
Verb
  • England was barely sweating when Boks fullback Damian Willemse charged the tryline and prop Thomas du Toit burrowed over.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 July 2026
  • The lower levels of the home are comfortable or even cold, while anyone spending time upstairs is sweating.
    — Kamron Sanders, The Spruce, 3 July 2026
Definition of sweating
Verb
  • The conversational delivery keeps listeners engaged without distracting from the content, creating a disruption-free experience that enhances ad reception.
    — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
  • Mesh or woven flats provide texture without being distracting.
    — Emma Bocchi, Glamour, 7 July 2026
Definition of distracting

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worrying
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Cite this Entry

“Worrying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worrying. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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