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worry

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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
Michaels worries that his unwillingness to acknowledge that mistakes were made means similar errors could be repeated. Jake Kanter, Deadline, 19 May 2025 If your mirror doesn't contain this feature, don't worry about reaching for the Windex. Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 19 May 2025
Noun
But a big worry looms on the horizon: what to do with space in modern office towers downtown that were battered by corporate downsizings in the aftermath of the pandemic? Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2025 Her only worry is protecting the seals on Coronado Beach. Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for worry
Recent Examples of Synonyms for worry
Verb
  • Much like their creator, his characters fret over details and seek to predict and manage their world.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 18 May 2025
  • As the two teams look toward Game 4, Celtics fans are fretting over what appears to be a serious injury suffered by their star player, Jayson Tatum.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • Users do have to purchase such gadgets, learn how to utilize them, and put them on their body, however, which are all steps that many folks simply won't bother taking.
    Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 26 May 2025
Noun
  • Some of this fear is rooted in social comparison, but much of it is tied to daily concerns about funding retirement accounts and covering child care costs.
    Eliza Brooke, Vox, 23 May 2025
  • The original policy sought to restrict ICE enforcement in sensitive locations, including courtrooms, to ensure that individuals could access vital services without fear of detention.
    Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Manufacturers have stressed to the Trump administration in talks that any tariffs need to take into account the cost of running and expanding operations in the U.S., and the administration's policy may run counter to the reshoring aim.
    Lori Ann LaRocco, CNBC, 23 May 2025
  • However, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond stressed that there has been growth in transitional kindergarten (TK) enrollment—a new grade that serves four-year-olds.
    Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Regulators and watchdogs have also long been concerned about donations from individuals with ties to foreign interests.
    Brian Slodysko, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025
  • Overnight, officials were primarily concerned with high levels of volcanic gas such as water vapor, carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that can have far-reaching effects downwind.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 May 2025
Noun
  • Trousdale’s songs adroitly address female empowerment, loss, heartbreak, anxiety, mental health and other subjects while striking a winning balance between melancholia and buoyancy.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 May 2025
  • More than 6 million have a parent with both a substance use disorder and significant symptoms of depression, anxiety or both.
    Ty Schepis, The Conversation, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
  • The baby occasionally fussed, and Khalil turned around and smiled at his wife and son.
    Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • However, some 3,000 years ago—around the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age—newcomers to the area disturbed the burial site by removing parts of the mound and displacing stones.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2025
  • Solar flares can disturb Earth's ionosphere, for instance, briefly disrupting high-frequency radio signals and leading to brief radio blackouts on the daylit side of the planet during the flare event.
    Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 22 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Worry.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/worry. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

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