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worrying

worrying

3.9
Upsetting or bothering someone again and again
  • noun
  • /ˈwɜːriɪŋ/
translation icon : preocupación
  • So I think the main focus right now should be not worrying about the time issue.

Examples

  • And we do it because we think that by worrying, it allows us to prepare.

  • - Worrying comes with the territory.

  • Why would they start worrying whether this will work out or not?

  • Anxiety is simply when worrying starts to get lodged in your body.

  • It's just one way or another, and all this constant worrying isn't going to necessarily change that.

  • So anxiety is what happens when the habit of worrying spins out of control.

  • The constant worrying about deadlines made him feel exhausted.

  • Her worrying over every little detail distracted her from enjoying the moment.

  • Many people find that worrying too much can lead to physical health issues.

Synonyms

harassment
vsworrying
596 4.6

Repeatedly annoying or frightening someone to upset them

is about persistent bothering or troubling rather than aggressive attack
badgering
vsworrying
3 7.5

Repeated annoying demands or questions from someone

is about continued bothering rather than coercive pressure
bedevilment
vsworrying
8.9

Repeated acts that keep annoying or hurting someone

is focused on ongoing bothering rather than especially torturing

Antonyms

134 1.4

Making someone feel less worried or upset

How Troublesome

harassment
596 4.6
worrying
3.9
annoyance
26 2.8
irritation
27 3.6

Surface Forms

worrying singular
worryings plural

Morphology

worrying = worry (transparent) = worry + ing

A gerund/nominalization of the verb 'worry' indicating the action or process of causing anxiety or troubling someone; the meaning is predictable from the verb base.

Etymology

Worrying comes from the same old verb worry, which was also used for animals grabbing or tearing at prey, as when dogs 'worry' a sheep. Think of being constantly pulled or bothered by that attack — that's why 'worrying' can mean the act of harassing or troubling someone.