I. ˈwər-ē, ˈwə-rē verb
( wor·ried ; wor·ry·ing )
Etymology: Middle English worien, from Old English wyrgan; akin to Old High German wurgen to strangle, Lithuanian veržti to constrict
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. dialect British : choke , strangle
2.
a. : to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat
b. : to shake or pull at with the teeth
a terrier worry ing a rat
c. : to touch or disturb something repeatedly
d. : to change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing or hauling
3.
a. : to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : torment
b. : to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort
4. : to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxious
intransitive verb
1. dialect British : strangle , choke
2. : to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing or difficult effort : struggle
3. : to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret
worry ing about his health
• wor·ried·ly -(r)ēd-lē, -(r)əd- adverb
• wor·ri·er -(r)ē-ər noun
• wor·ry·ing·ly adverb
Synonyms:
worry , annoy , harass , harry , plague , pester , tease 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
annoy implies disturbing one's composure or peace of mind by intrusion, interference, or petty attacks
you're doing that just to annoy me
harass implies petty persecutions or burdensome demands that exhaust one's nervous or mental power
harassed on all sides by creditors
harry may imply heavy oppression or maltreatment
the strikers had been harried by thugs
plague implies a painful and persistent affliction
plagued all her life by poverty
pester stresses the repetition of petty attacks
constantly pestered with trivial complaints
tease suggests an attempt to break down one's resistance or rouse to wrath
children teased the dog
II. noun
( plural worries )
Date: 1804
1.
a. : mental distress or agitation resulting from concern usually for something impending or anticipated : anxiety
b. : an instance or occurrence of such distress or agitation
2. : a cause of worry : trouble , difficulty
Synonyms: see care