# worrying

/ˈwɝiɪŋ/ (US) · /wˈʌɹɪɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/worrying
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. causing anxiety

adjective · CEFR B1

making you feel anxious or concerned about a problem.

For teachers: causing anxiety, concern, or distress; inducing a state of worry in the observer.

- The doctor said the test results were a bit worrying, so I need more tests.
- The recent decline in global biodiversity is a deeply worrying trend that requires immediate international cooperation.

### 3. harassment or pestering

noun · CEFR C2 · Literary · Formal

the act of bothering or upsetting someone repeatedly.

For teachers: the act of harassing, pestering, or repeatedly bothering a person or animal.

- The constant worrying of the sheep by the neighbor's dog became a serious problem.
- The legal definition of harassment includes the persistent worrying of an individual through unwanted communication and physical following.

Usage: Often used in legal or agricultural contexts, such as 'sheep worrying' by dogs.

## Examples

- Too much worrying can make it hard to sleep at night.
- After years of constant worrying about her finances, she finally decided to see a professional advisor.
- Chronic worrying often manifests as a cognitive loop where the individual anticipates negative outcomes without engaging in productive problem-solving to mitigate them.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.