worried

adjective

wor·​ried ˈwər-ēd 

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

Synonyms

• aflutter
• antsy
• anxious
• atwitter
• dithery
• edgy
• goosey
• het up
• hinky [slang]
• hung up
• ill at ease
• insecure
• jittery
• jumpy
• nervous
• nervy
• perturbed
• queasy
• queazy
• tense
• troubled
• uneasy
• unquiet
• upset
• uptight

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

Although dissenters are worried about the cost, the climate change crisis harms everyone, even those who don’t live in a region that is at risk of wildfires. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 8 Nov. 2024

Authorities are worried about other health problems in the aftermath of the deadliest natural disaster in Spain’s recent history. —Hernán Muñoz and Joseph Wilson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2024

Many Americans are not only worried about the outcome, but what might happen in the aftermath, regardless of who wins. —Aditi Shrikant, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Plummeting marriages – and births – pose a major challenge to Beijing, which is increasingly worried about the impact of a shrinking workforce and aging population on the country’s slowing economy. —Nectar Gan, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined above

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