- Main Entry:
- 1wor·ry
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈwər-ē, ˈwə-rē\
- Function:
- verb
- Inflected Form(s):
- 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 verb1dialect British : choke, strangle2 a: to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat b: to shake or pull at with the teeth <a terrier worrying a rat> c: to touch or disturb something repeatedly d: to change the position of or adjust by repeated pushing or hauling3 a: to assail with rough or aggressive attack or treatment : torment b: to subject to persistent or nagging attention or effort4: to afflict with mental distress or agitation : make anxiousintransitive verb1dialect British : strangle, choke2: to move, proceed, or progress by unceasing or difficult effort : struggle3: to feel or experience concern or anxiety : fret <worrying 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>.
