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Definitions

worry

[wur-ee, wuhr-ee] / ˈwɜr i, ˈwʌr i /
NOUN
anxiety, trouble
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anguish apprehension concern doubt fear headache misery misgiving pain problem uncertainty uneasiness woe
STRONG
annoyance care disquiet distress disturbance heartache irritation nag perplexity pest plague presentiment torment torture trial vexation worriment
WEAK
bad news
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calmness certainty cheer comfort confidence happiness joy pleasure sureness trust unconcern
STRONG
advantage calm contentment peace
WEAK
reassurance
VERB
be or make anxious, troubled
Synonyms
STRONGEST
annoy bother depress disturb fret irritate perturb plague trouble try unsettle upset
STRONG
afflict aggrieve agonize ail attack bedevil beleaguer beset brood bug chafe despair disquiet distress dun goad harass harry hassle hector importune needle oppress persecute pester stew tantalize tear tease test torment torture vex wince writhe wrong
WEAK
bite one's nails concern oneself feel uneasy gnaw at go for have qualms sweat out take on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
aid appease assist calm comfort delight help make happy order pacify please soothe
STRONG
not worry support
WEAK
reassure

Usage

What are other ways to say worry? Worry is an active state of agitated uneasiness and restless apprehension: He was distracted by worry over the stock market. Concern implies an anxious sense of interest in something: concern over a friend's misfortune. Care suggests a heaviness of spirit caused by dread, or by the constant pressure of burdensome demands: Poverty weighs a person down with care.

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.

A time when we didn’t worry and weren’t burdened with adulting.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

While I am grateful she has had the financial cushion to step back, I worry that this chapter has drifted into something more indefinite.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 25, 2026

He had no reason to worry with James at the helm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

While Americans worry about gasoline prices, one of the country’s largest refining companies is languishing in regulatory limbo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

"And the trails you cannot find in the snow. Holes in the ice and swamps. Moose are the worst. But today you need not worry about them. I will speak to my friend, the Raven."

From "Black Star, Bright Dawn" by Scott O'Dell

Vocabulary lists containing worry

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Common Five-letter Words for Wordle, List 5

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Mother's Day Words: What Mothers Do

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!