worried

adjective

wor·​ried ˈwər-ēd How to pronounce worried (audio)
ˈwə-rēd
: mentally troubled or concerned : feeling or showing concern or anxiety about what is happening or might happen
worried parents
a worried frown
I'm not too worried about the weather.
He was worried sick. [=extremely worried]
But the technological intrusion of prenatal testing leaves expectant parents more worried than reassured.Ronni Sandroff
There was an ominous and worried expression on their faces.Jack London
… his mother was so worried she sent for the doctor.E. B. White
worriedly adverb
"Well, what did you think when you heard the news?" Jimmy asked us worriedly. Bobbie Ann Mason
… Roy thought it was from a snakebite, and worriedly glanced around. Carl Hiaasen

Examples of worried in a Sentence

the soldier's father had a worried expression as he listened to the news
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
How worried should the team be about his availability for the playoffs? Aaron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025 But in the early days of the second Donald Trump presidency, LGBTQ+ communities across the U.S. are more worried about their digital privacy than ever before. Samantha Riedel, Them, 5 Feb. 2025 Other Trump critics are worried about the humanitarian impact of cutting aid programs—Newsweek has reported on an AIDS foundation's estimation that more than 100,000 babies could be born with HIV as a result of Trump's freeze. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025 Some executives are worried that higher tariffs and higher prices will limit how much Americans are able or willing to shop. Matt Egan, CNN, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for worried 

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of worried was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near worried

Cite this Entry

“Worried.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worried. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

worried

adjective
wor·​ried
ˈwər-ēd,
ˈwə-rēd
: having worries : marked by or showing worry
very worried about the test
a worried look
worriedly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on worried

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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