Synonyms

worried sick

Idioms

Also, worried to death. Extremely anxious, as in Her parents were worried sick when she didn't come home all night, or We've been worried to death about the drop in the stock market. These somewhat hyperbolic phrases (one could conceivably feel ill from worrying but would hardly die from it) date from the second half of the 1800s.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His parents, Helen and John McColl, say they are worried sick and doing their best to support their son from home.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The other three are native-born Americans, but she's worried sick every time they leave the house.

From Barron's • Feb. 1, 2026

Once upon a time, not long ago, Elon Musk was worried sick about climate change.

From Slate • Mar. 28, 2025

He said it was for "the mums and dads" who like him were "worried sick about the safety of our kids online."

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2024

But if I stayed here, I’d be leaving my father defenseless, not to mention worried sick about me.

From "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" by Ransom Riggs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

worried sick

Example Sentences

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