Worry: meaning, definitions and examples

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worry

[ˈwʌri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

feeling

Feel or cause to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems.

Synonyms

agonize, fret, obsess, stress.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
worry	Commonly used in everyday situations where someone feels anxious or uneasy about something that might happen. She began to worry when he hadn't called by midnight. Parents often worry about their children's future.
fret	Often used in situations where someone is constantly anxious or distressed about minor issues. It's less intense than worry or agonize. Don't fret about the little things, everything will be fine. She always frets over her grades, even when she's doing well.
stress	Used to describe a state of mental or emotional strain resulting from demanding circumstances. Often used in work or academic contexts. The looming deadline was starting to stress him out. She felt stressed due to the heavy workload at her job.
agonize	Used when someone suffers intense mental pain over a decision or situation, often involving a prolonged period of thinking or debate. He agonized over whether to move to a new city for his job. She agonized for days before deciding to tell the truth.
obsess	Describes a situation where someone cannot stop thinking about something, often leading to unhealthy behavior. It usually has a negative connotation. He began to obsess over his appearance, spending hours at the gym. She obsessed about every detail of the wedding, driving everyone crazy.

Examples of usage

He worried about the future of his business.
She constantly worries about her children.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

emotion

A state of anxiety and uncertainty over actual or potential problems.

Synonyms

anxiety, concern, stress, unease.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
worry	When you feel uneasy about something that might happen or has happened. I worry about my kids when they're out late. Don't worry about the meeting; it will go fine.
anxiety	When you have a persistent feeling of dread or fear, often without a clear cause. She suffers from anxiety and often has panic attacks. The thought of public speaking fills him with anxiety.
concern	When you care about someone or something and feel that something might be wrong or could go wrong. Your health is a major concern for me. There is growing concern about climate change.
stress	When you feel pressure or tension due to demanding circumstances or tasks. The job interview caused him a lot of stress. She manages stress by practicing yoga.
unease	When you feel uncomfortable or anxious about a situation or somebody. There was a general feeling of unease in the room. He felt a sense of unease as he walked through the dark alley.

Examples of usage

She was consumed by worry over her upcoming exam.
The constant worry about his health was affecting his sleep.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Worrying is a common response to stress and can help people prepare for potential problems, but too much can lead to anxiety disorders.
Studies show that about 85% of what people worry about never actually happens, highlighting how often worry is based on fears rather than reality.

History

The word 'worry' has Old English roots, stemming from 'wyrgan,' meaning 'to strangle,' reflecting how overwhelming worry can feel.
Throughout history, various cultures have regarded worry as a natural yet troubling part of the human experience, often tying it to moral and ethical teachings.

Literature

Worry is a prevalent theme in literature, often depicted as an inner battle faced by protagonists in quest narratives, illustrating human vulnerability.
Famous writers, like Shakespeare, have included the concept of worry in their works, exploring its effects on mental states and relationships.

Health

Excessive worry can impact physical health, leading to issues such as headaches, stomach problems, and even heart disease.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques have been shown to help reduce levels of worry and promote better mental health outcomes.

Coping Strategies

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective approach that helps people reframe their worries by challenging negative thought patterns.
Journaling can serve as a beneficial tool to track worries, allowing individuals to express feelings and put them into perspective.

Translations

Translations of the word "worry" in other languages:

🇵🇹 preocupação

preocupação
inquietação

🇮🇳 चिंता

🇩🇪 Sorge

Besorgnis
Unruhe

🇮🇩 kekhawatiran

🇺🇦 турбота

хвилювання
занепокоєння

🇵🇱 zmartwienie

niepokój
troska

🇯🇵 心配 (しんぱい)

🇫🇷 inquiétude

souci
préoccupation

🇪🇸 preocupación

inquietud
ansiedad

🇹🇷 endişe

🇰🇷 걱정 (geokjeong)

🇸🇦 قلق

🇨🇿 starost

🇸🇰 starosť

🇨🇳 担心 (dānxīn)

🇸🇮 skrb

🇮🇸 áhyggja

🇰🇿 алаңдаушылық

🇬🇪 შფოთვა

🇦🇿 narahatlıq

🇲🇽 preocupación

inquietud
ansiedad

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,765, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3762 exempt
3763 dissolved
3764 superintendent
3765 worry
3766 rats
3767 provinces
3768 venture
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