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

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

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