worrisome
Giving one pause
Worrisome describes something that causes worry or anxiety: The test results were worrisome.
It characterizes situations, symptoms, or trends that give reasonable cause for concern: a worrisome development in the negotiations, worrisome signs of inflation.
The word sits between mildly concerning and genuinely alarming—enough to warrant attention but not necessarily panic.
Causing worry or unease
- troublingCausing unease or concern
- disconcertingCausing unease or confusion
- disquietingCausing unease or worry
- disturbingCausing mental unease
unsettling · bothersome · vexing · perturbing · dismaying · distressing · nagging · gnawing
Troubled by uncertainty
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- fearfulFull of fright
- apprehensiveFearful of future events
fretful · troubled · distressed · panicky · alarmed · agitated · jittery · on edge
Involving possible harm
- precariousDangerously insecure
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- perilousFraught with danger
- dangerousApt to cause harm
dicey · iffy · uncertain · unpredictable · volatile · unstable · shaky · doubtful
Provoking fear or anxiety
- frighteningInspiring terror or alarm
- scaryCausing fright
- chillingCausing fear or cold
- unnervingCausing loss of composure
daunting · intimidating · startling · shocking · jolting · eye-opening · sobering · grave
Causing difficulty or annoyance
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- difficultRequiring much effort
- trickyDifficult to handle
- thornyHaving sharp protrusions
knotty · sticky · delicate · touchy · complicated · challenging · vexatious · burdensome
concerning
Causing worry or unease
- troublingCausing unease or concern
- disconcertingCausing unease or confusion
- disquietingCausing unease or worry
disturbing · unsettling · bothersome · vexing · perturbing · dismaying · distressing · nagging · gnawing · lingering
anxious
Troubled by uncertainty
apprehensive · fretful · troubled · distressed · panicky · alarmed · agitated · jittery · on edge · nail-biting
risky
Involving possible harm
- precariousDangerously insecure
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- perilousFraught with danger
dangerous · dicey · iffy · uncertain · unpredictable · volatile · unstable · shaky · doubtful · questionable
alarming
Provoking fear or anxiety
- frighteningInspiring terror or alarm
- scaryCausing fright
- chillingCausing fear or cold
unnerving · daunting · intimidating · startling · shocking · jolting · eye-opening · sobering · grave · serious
troublesome
Causing difficulty or annoyance
- problematicCausing difficulty or concern
- difficultRequiring much effort
- trickyDifficult to handle
thorny · knotty · sticky · delicate · touchy · complicated · challenging · vexatious · burdensome · trying
- exhaustingdraining, taxing, tiring, exhausting, fatiguing
worrisomereassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
comforting · calming · soothing · consoling · relaxing
worrisomereassuring
Restoring calm or confidence
unworrisome · encouraging · safe · promising · hopeful