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Definition of worrynext

worry

2 of 2

noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb worry contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of worry are annoy, harass, harry, pester, plague, and tease. While all these words mean "to disturb or irritate by persistent acts," worry implies an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation.

pursued a policy of worrying the enemy

When can annoy be used instead of worry?

The words annoy and worry are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks.

you're doing that just to annoy me

When is harass a more appropriate choice than worry?

The meanings of harass and worry largely overlap; however, harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power.

harassed on all sides by creditors

When would harry be a good substitute for worry?

While the synonyms harry and worry are close in meaning, harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment.

the strikers had been harried by thugs

When could pester be used to replace worry?

The words pester and worry can be used in similar contexts, but pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks.

constantly pestered with trivial complaints

In what contexts can plague take the place of worry?

Although the words plague and worry have much in common, plague implies a painful and persistent affliction.

plagued all her life by poverty

When is it sensible to use tease instead of worry?

In some situations, the words tease and worry are roughly equivalent. However, tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath.

children teased the dog

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of worry
Verb
Simply tuck your AirTag into the silicone pouch and stick the case to the inside of your suitcase—you’ll never have to worry about forgetting to pop the tracking device into your bag ever again. Liz Provencher, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026 Homeowners can prep, cook, and bake without worrying about the impact on another room. Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2026
Noun
Elliot, whose husband has heart issues, worries about the medical care inmates are receiving as the virus spreads through the system. Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025 Excluding disasters, sudden surges of this magnitude in requests for food or any other need are rare at 211s, and can signal both public worry and need, as happened in the first weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic. Matthew W. Kreuter, The Conversation, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for worry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worry
Verb
  • The state’s changes to the rates chafed some local districts’ officials, including fire districts that fretted about affording equipment and firefighters as risks from wildfires loomed large year-round.
    Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 6 Jan. 2026
  • Others fret that the party has not done enough to promote their wins, such as the landmark tax-and-spending package passed last summer.
    Alicia Diaz, Fortune, 6 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Take a seat on an icy throne—the cold never bothered you anyway.
    Ginger Crichton, Midwest Living, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Don’t bother wasting your money—using it more than once a day won’t yield ‘better’ or faster results.
    Ali Pantony, Glamour, 9 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.
    Marcus Thompson II, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.
    Liz Rothaus Bertrand, Charlotte Observer, 7 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Rising temperatures increase evaporation, further stressing a watershed already under pressure from growth and development.
    Amy Green, Miami Herald, 9 Jan. 2026
  • Researchers stress this is only an association, and the benefit may reflect overall diet patterns rather than cheese itself.
    Julia Ries Wexler, Health, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Orpin did not respond to follow-up questions concerning the fate of the cidery's canning and retail sales operations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Jan. 2026
  • Other concerning signs include constipation, feeling cold all the time, lightheadedness or fainting, and missing periods in girls.
    Melissa Willets, Parents, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Somehow, this new sensation emitted an awareness of the magnitude in which skateboarding would warp my life, which only ratcheted up the anxiety of blowing it.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Jan. 2026
  • The news this week that an ICE agent had shot and killed a woman in Minnesota heightened his anxiety.
    Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Need to put a filling dinner on the table, but don't have a lot of time to fuss?
    Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 22 Dec. 2025
  • Dunst doesn’t get fussed about that sort of thing.
    Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 27 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • Rose tells Shaw that her community is concerned about sacred remains being disturbed.
    Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 10 Nov. 2025
  • The 34-year-old appeared to have deactivated her X account after disturbing posts on her account resurfaced online.
    Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worry. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on worry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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