worried; worrying
1
: to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxious
2
a
: to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat
b
: to shake or pull at with the teeth
a terrier worrying a rat
c
: to touch or disturb something repeatedly
d
: to change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing or hauling
3
a
: to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : torment
b
: to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort
1
: to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret
worrying about his health
2
: to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing or difficult effort : struggle
plural worries
1
a
: mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxiety
b
: an instance or occurrence of such distress or agitation
2
: a cause of worry : trouble, difficulty
Examples of worry in a Sentence
Verb
We didn't want you to worry.
Don't worry. You'll be fine.
Don't make your parents worry.
When they didn't call after two hours, we began to worry.
They were fine. We needn't have worried.
His poor health worries me.
It doesn't seem to worry him that rain is in the forecast.
We didn't tell you about the accident because we didn't want to worry you.
Noun
She finally ended months of worry over her credit card debt when she finished paying off her bill.
His high blood pressure is cause for worry.
Our greatest worry is that she'll get lost.
His only worry right now is getting to the airport on time.
His mother's health is a constant worry.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Moran worries that Alvarado, a diabetic breast cancer survivor who suffers from high blood pressure and needs to eat and drink frequently, will have poor access to her medication in detention — or after deportation.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025
Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The comments came at a conference organized by the Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City and run counter to recent worries that tech companies would pull back if belts get tightened.
4.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worry
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
According to Breen’s brother-in-law, Corey Feist, many people worried that any move to take care of their mental health could affect their jobs.
—Christina Ray Stanton, New York Daily News, 26 Apr. 2025
Moran worries that Alvarado, a diabetic breast cancer survivor who suffers from high blood pressure and needs to eat and drink frequently, will have poor access to her medication in detention — or after deportation.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 26 Apr. 2025
Noun
Not Enough People Are Watching ‘NYT Mini’ Clues And Answers For Saturday, April 26
New Google Leak Reveals Subscription Changes For Gemini AI
There is no shortage of worries for European auto manufacturers.
—Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
The comments came at a conference organized by the Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City and run counter to recent worries that tech companies would pull back if belts get tightened.
4.
—Sara Salinas, CNBC, 25 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for worry
Cite this Entry
“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worry. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
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