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worry
This word carries a persistent, looping quality, evoking the image of a mind circling a problem without finding a solution. It differs from fear, which is usually a reaction to an immediate threat, by focusing on anticipated trouble or uncertainty in the future.
In social contexts, it is often used as a gesture of empathy or care, as in saying I worry about you. However, in a professional or clinical sense, it describes a cognitive burden that can lead to paralysis or chronic stress.
Countable when referring to a specific source of stress (I have one major worry). Uncountable when referring to the general emotional state of anxiety (His life is full of worry).
Meanings
Examples
Phrasal Verbs
worry about
to feel anxious or uneasy regarding a specific person, event, or situation
I try not to worry about things I cannot control.
worry over
to spend a great deal of time thinking anxiously about a problem
She spent the entire weekend worrying over the small mistake in her report.