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Definitions

worried sick

ADJECTIVE
anxious
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid apprehensive careful concerned distressed fearful fidgety jittery nervous restless scared uneasy uptight
WEAK
aghast antsy basket case bugged butterflies choked clutched disquieted disturbed dreading fretful hacked hyper in a state in a tizzy in suspense jumpy nervy overwrought shaking shaky shivery shook-up shot to pieces solicitous spooked strung-out sweating bullets taut troubled unglued unquiet watchful wired wreck
Antonyms
STRONGEST
bold brave calm collected composed confident cool courageous happy inattentive quiet unafraid unconcerned unfearful unworried
WEAK
assured content indifferent peaceful tranqil unwilling
ADJECTIVE
apprehensive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight
WEAK
alarmed biting nails butterflies disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a cold sweat in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful running scared shaky stiff troubled weak worried
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable
WEAK
at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried
ADJECTIVE
concerned
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxious distressed disturbed troubled uneasy uptight
STRONG
bothered exercised perturbed upset
WEAK
biting one's nails butterflies in stomach in a stew on pins and needles tied up in knots
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected composed cool happy peaceful
WEAK
disinterested inattentive uncaring unconcerned undisturbed uninvolved unperturbed untroubled unworried
ADJECTIVE
solicitous
Synonyms
STRONGEST
attentive loving mindful worried zealous
WEAK
anxious appetent apprehensive ardent athirst avid beside oneself careful caring concerned devoted eager earnest heedful impatient keen raring regardful tender troubled uneasy worried stiff
Antonyms
STRONGEST
heedless inattentive
WEAK
easygoing laid-back unafraid unworried

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The other three are native-born Americans, but she's worried sick every time they leave the house.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Once upon a time, not long ago, Elon Musk was worried sick about climate change.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2025

He said it was for "the mums and dads" who like him were "worried sick about the safety of our kids online."

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2024

“I’ve spoken to thousands of parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles. They, like me, are worried sick about the safety of our children online.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2024

I worried sick about it, trying to think what to do and I could not decide.

From "The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother" by James McBride

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.