worry 1 of 2

verb

ˈwər-ē How to pronounce worry (audio)
Definition of worrynext
1
as in to fret
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 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
During his imprisonment, Corby worries about whether his beloved wife, Emily, and their daughter, Maisie, can ever forgive him. —Anita Snow, Boston Herald, 13 June 2025 In the reported audio recording, Diddy urged Jane not to send him any more text messages, worrying that someone could twist the meaning of their communication if intercepted. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
Many times, their request is about something deeper—like a fear, deadline or worry. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025 Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode. —Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for worry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worry
  1. fret
  2. bother
  3. fear
  4. stress
  5. concern
  6. anxiety
  7. fuss
  8. disturb
Verb
  • Gold surged higher this year as investors fretted over the uncertain outlook for tariffs.
    — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 12 June 2025
  • But now, leaders of many of the most prominent companies in the U.S. and around the world are fretting that a trade war could stunt that growth.
    — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 12 June 2025
Definition of fret
Verb
  • Understandably, the online narrative bothered the director as well.
    — Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 6 June 2025
  • This is an arrangement that bothers Kagi's founder.
    — Ryan Whitwam, ArsTechnica, 6 June 2025
Definition of bother
Noun
  • Such a low number spurred fears the ongoing trade war may finally be starting to affect the economy’s hard data.
    — Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025
  • Choosing to be bold and to fight fear is not the easy choice.
    — Mitchell W. Berger, Sun Sentinel, 4 June 2025
Definition of fear
Verb
  • Emergency officials stressed the importance of monitoring weather updates and local alerts.
    — Barney Henderson, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
  • CTOs Make Mistakes It cannot be stressed enough how individuals in organizations need input from infrastructure managers about the most cost-effective solutions that will maximize value.
    — Sergey Avdyushkin, Forbes.com, 6 June 2025
Definition of stress
Verb
  • Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning.
    — Jack Moore, ABC News, 8 June 2025
  • The incident was reported Friday at 9:17 a.m., and the last update concerning this incident was provided on Friday at 9:20 a.m.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2025
Definition of concern
Noun
  • Survey respondents’ anxiety over unemployment also declined, but a separate measure of employment trends from the Conference Board dipped slightly, reflecting lingering economic uncertainty.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 10 June 2025
  • When an industry accelerates this fast, anxiety is sure to follow and a growing number of CEOs aren’t asking whether to build with AI.
    — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
Definition of anxiety
Verb
  • Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
    — Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • The baby occasionally fussed, and Khalil turned around and smiled at his wife and son.
    — Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 23 May 2025
Definition of fuss
Verb
  • Create Do-Not-Disturb Prompts To Discourage Interruptions Experiment with reducing your availability to interruptions by following specific practices that signal to others you shouldn’t be disturbed.
    — Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Perhaps your time off request isn’t approved, or your vacation plans have been disturbed by your colleagues.
    — Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 27 May 2025
Definition of disturb

Browse Nearby Words

worrisome
worry
worrying
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Cite this Entry

“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worry. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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