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.
Still, some residents are worried about the drones. Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 14 Dec. 2024 Lawmakers in New Jersey and beyond grew worried Friday about the now-regular spotting of drones over the state, with officials calling for answers and more transparency from federal agencies. The Hill, 13 Dec. 2024 While most people in Syria are celebrating the collapse of the Assad regime, many are worried about the future. Ivana Kottasová, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 Teachers and parents are rightly worried about kids using generative AI to fraudulently write their essays for them, or using ChatGPT and other homework helpers like ByteDance’s Gauth AI to quickly grab answers. Reece Rogers, WIRED, 11 Dec. 2024 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 17 Dec. 2024.

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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