filled with worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "filled with worry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express a feeling of anxiety and fear. For example, "She was filled with worry when she heard the news of the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Others, like Harry, are filled with worry.

The New York Times - Books

By 1937, some people could view the glass as half-full, although this cartoon shows that the other half of the glass was filled with worry.

The New Yorker

A week after his second daughter was born, Motise Reynolds was filled with worry as he stood protesting outside the capitol in Madison, Wisconsin.

The Guardian - Money

At the pro-Ukraine protest, 62-year-old Larisa said she was filled with worry at the prospect of joining Russia.

The Guardian

I would love to say that these girls were filled with worry about how the show would translate onto the stage, but, truthfully, the cast would have caused absolute uproar just by being there.

Independent

Katie's inner struggle should really be the emotional crux of the play — she's so filled with worry at what her withdrawal might mean that dark thoughts of self-injury become an issue — but Ms. Forlenza never draws us very deeply inside Katie's roiling psyche.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

I was miserable and filled with worries about the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

Samuel hesitates to wake a man who's old and filled with worries.

The New Yorker

Mr. Israilov had been granted asylum by Austria, but his life there had been filled with worries about his safety.

The New York Times

The waiting time, without knowing what kind of information to expect next, was filled with worries and many patients described that part as the worst experience in their care process and as being intolerable to endure.

BMC Nursing

It can be very humbling to realize that other people have a perspective that is just as valid as yours, and that everyone around is also filled with worries, doubts, and hopes.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filled with worry" to describe a state of being overwhelmed by anxious thoughts and concerns, particularly when emphasizing the emotional burden.

Common error

Do not use "filled with worry" as a generic placeholder for other more precise emotional states. Ensure the context genuinely reflects a state of being overwhelmed by worry rather than simple sadness or disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filled with worry" functions as an adjectival phrase, describing a subject's emotional state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively communicates a feeling of being overwhelmed by anxiety or concern, similar to examples like "filled with dread or anxiety" or "filled with fear".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "filled with worry" is a grammatically sound and effective way to describe a state of being overwhelmed by anxiety, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in News & Media sources and has a neutral register. While there are several semantically similar alternatives, such as "consumed by anxiety" or "fraught with anxiety", each carries subtle differences in connotation. When using this phrase, ensure that the context accurately reflects a deep and pervasive sense of anxiety. Remember, as Ludwig showed, that this phrase is suitable for general use but should be applied with precision to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consumed by anxiety

Implies a state where anxiety completely dominates one's thoughts and feelings.

overwhelmed with concern

Emphasizes the feeling of being burdened by excessive concern.

fraught with anxiety

Suggests a situation or state characterized by anxiety.

burdened by apprehension

Highlights the weight and stress caused by feelings of apprehension.

plagued by fears

Indicates a persistent and troubling experience of fear.

beset by anxieties

Implies being consistently troubled or attacked by anxieties.

gripped by concern

Suggests a sudden and strong feeling of concern taking hold.

anxious and fearful

Combines both anxiety and fear to emphasize the intensity of the emotion.

preoccupied with anxieties

Focuses on the state of having one's mind constantly occupied with anxieties.

weighed down by worries

Conveys the burden and oppressive feeling caused by worries.

FAQs

How can I use "filled with worry" in a sentence?

You can use "filled with worry" to describe someone experiencing significant anxiety and concern. For example, "She was "filled with worry" about her upcoming exam."

What are some alternatives to "filled with worry"?

Alternatives include "consumed by anxiety", "overwhelmed with concern", or "fraught with anxiety", each offering a slightly different shade of meaning.

Is it correct to say "filled with worries" instead of "filled with worry"?

While both can be used, "filled with worry" emphasizes a general state of anxiety, while "filled with worries" suggests multiple specific concerns. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight a general feeling or list particular anxieties.

What's the difference between "filled with worry" and "anxious about"?

"Filled with worry" describes an internal state of being overwhelmed by anxiety, while "anxious about" indicates a specific source or cause of the anxiety. For example, you might be "filled with worry" about a loved one, and therefore be "anxious about" their safety.