worrisome

adjective

wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm How to pronounce worrisome (audio)
ˈwə-rē-
Synonyms of worrisomenext
1
: causing distress or worry
worrisome news
2
: inclined to worry or fret
investors feeling worrisome
worrisomely adverb
worrisomeness noun

Synonyms of worrisome

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Examples of worrisome in a Sentence

There is the worrisome possibility of hurricane damage on the coast. the patient's erratic behavior has become increasingly worrisome
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That’s a worrisome start to any season but especially for a team that could not manage more than 92 points even after the Raptors cleared their bench to finish the blowout. — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026 That picture is a little worrisome, though, because the defense is bad and the offense lacks capable receiving weapons. — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026 The cancer, adenocarcinoma, is a common one, and while worrisome if caught late, has a track record of high rates of survival with early intervention. — Scott Detrow, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026 As technologies get smarter and efforts to monitor women accelerate, data breaches from our everyday technologies, like smart devices, become increasingly worrisome. — Sparkle Rainey Tribune News Service, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for worrisome

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of worrisome was in 1833

Browse Nearby Words

worriment
worrisome
worrit
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Worrisome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/worrisome. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

worrisome

adjective
wor·​ri·​some ˈwər-ē-səm How to pronounce worrisome (audio)
ˈwə-rē-
1
: causing worry
worrisome news
2
: given to worrying
worrisome parents
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