heightened worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heightened worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an increased level of concern or anxiety about a particular situation or issue. Example: "The recent events have led to heightened worry among the community regarding safety measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But we want to be crazy on our own terms, not on the terms of a medical profession that, were it any good, would have already banished all illness and most death, thus obviating the need for our heightened worry.

The New Yorker

HSBC Holdings extended its recent slide on heightened worry that the bank is strapped for capital.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

All this has heightened worries over maintenance.

The New York Times

That heightened worries that other central banks — the Federal Reserve in particular — will soon pull back on pumping money into the financial system.

The New York Times

The news of the hiring, just a week after Kodak unexpectedly tapped its credit line, heightened worries about the viability of the company's turnaround plan.

The New York Times

Brent crude fell by 3% to below $52 a barrel, as cuts to monthly oil selling prices for European buyers by Saudi Arabia heightened worries about oversupply.

The Guardian - Business

The turmoil has heightened worries about how states and towns, particularly poorer ones, will pay their bills as a weakening housing market and potential recession squeeze tax revenues.

The New York Times

The terrorism act has heightened worries in Malaysia over a deepening crackdown on civil liberties launched by the government in the wake of a 2013 election setback.

The Guardian

The airline was also plagued with smaller mishaps on domestic flights that cost no lives but heightened worries about the company and its future.

The New York Times

The killings heightened worries about how the coalition troops, who are training members of the Afghan Army and the police, can protect themselves while working at close quarters with their Afghan counterparts.

The New York Times

But recently, there have been heightened worries about how coalition troops can protect themselves while training members of the Afghan Army and the police, especially as the number of foreign forces in Afghanistan begins to decrease.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heightened worry" when you want to emphasize a significant increase in concern or anxiety, often due to specific events or circumstances. For example, "The recent economic downturn has led to "heightened worry" among investors".

Common error

Avoid using "heightened worry" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "more worried" or "increasing concern" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heightened worry" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "heightened" modifies the noun "worry". The adjective "heightened" indicates an increase in the intensity of the worry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heightened worry" is a grammatically sound and semantically clear way to describe an increased level of concern. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in English writing. While its register is relatively neutral, it tends to appear more frequently in news and media contexts, where it serves to highlight significant anxieties stemming from specific events. Alternatives such as "increased concern" or "growing anxiety" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember to consider the context when choosing between these options to ensure the most appropriate expression of the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increased concern

Replaces "worry" with a broader term, "concern", while maintaining the sense of escalation.

heightened apprehension

Uses "apprehension" instead of "worry", indicating a more formal and serious concern.

growing anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety", emphasizing the emotional aspect and the process of increase.

amplified anxiety

Replaces heightened with amplified, keeping anxiety synonym of worry

elevated apprehension

Uses more formal terms, "elevated" and "apprehension", to convey a similar meaning in a more sophisticated tone.

intensified unease

Replaces "worry" with "unease", suggesting a more general feeling of discomfort or anxiety.

increased disquiet

Using "disquiet" shifts the focus to a feeling of restlessness and disturbance rather than direct worry.

rising disquiet

Similar to "intensified unease", but uses "disquiet" to highlight a loss of peace or tranquility.

escalating fears

Focuses specifically on "fears", suggesting a more pronounced level of anxiety than "worry".

mounting dread

Emphasizes a sense of impending doom or severe anxiety, making it stronger than simple "worry".

FAQs

How can I use "heightened worry" in a sentence?

You can use "heightened worry" to describe an increased state of concern about something. For example, "There is "heightened worry" about the new policy changes".

What phrases are similar to "heightened worry"?

Alternatives include "increased concern", "growing anxiety", or "elevated apprehension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "heightened worry" formal or informal?

"Heightened worry" is relatively neutral but leans toward formal, making it suitable for news articles, reports, and professional communication. In very informal contexts, simpler phrases might be better.

What causes "heightened worry"?

"Heightened worry" often arises from specific triggers such as economic instability, health crises, or policy changes. These events can amplify existing anxieties or create new concerns.