unwarranted worry

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unwarranted worry" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a concern or anxiety that is not justified or based on reality. Example: "Her unwarranted worry about the project's success was unfounded, as the team had already completed most of the work ahead of schedule."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet news media and myriad experts, seemingly eager to sensationalize every "crisis" among young people, have aroused unwarranted worry in the public and policy arenas.

The New York Times

Those concerns, sometimes dismissed as unwarranted worry, were given a boost of legitimacy after the spying scandal involving the Patriots at the beginning of the season.

The New York Times - Sports

Disclosing all the information has the potential to cause harm because of increased (and possibly unwarranted) worry and anxiety [ 9, 34], yet it was evident that obstetricians in this study were very supportive of women's autonomy and self-determination and therefore their need for full information disclosure.

BMC Medical Ethics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I don't think it is unwarranted to worry that a Congress that can't respect the intentions of the president's budget -- one that is trying to move us toward a safer future -- will be able to exercise the kind of oversight on Iraq withdrawal and Afghan population security -- that we need to move forward.

Huffington Post

Indeed, one of the main barriers to another "green revolution" is unwarranted popular worries about genetically modified foods, which is holding back farm output not just in Europe, but in the developing countries that could use them to boost their exports.Political folly increases in a geometrical ratioAs so often, governments are making matters worse.

The Economist

NHS commissioning authorities that have closed walk-in centres told Monitor that the clinics triggered "unwarranted" demand among "worried well" patients for often minor conditions.

The Guardian

All the while, they shake their heads and roll their eyes, knowing that their behavior and worries are unwarranted.

The New York Times

"I'm not from here, and most of them were born here," Mr. Brown explained, before adding that his worrying was unwarranted.

The New York Times

Cohen said she thought the markets inflationary worries were unwarranted.

Forbes

In hindsight, she says, some of her worries were unwarranted: "Getting back on the academic path was made easier by a handful of amazing mentors who encouraged me, wrote letters of recommendation on my behalf, and read and commented on drafts of papers and chapters".

Science Magazine

Yet such worries are unwarranted.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unwarranted worry", ensure the context clearly indicates why the worry is not justified, providing specific reasons or evidence to support this claim.

Common error

Avoid using "unwarranted worry" when a milder term like "slight concern" would be more appropriate. Overstating the worry can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unwarranted worry" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "unwarranted" modifies the noun "worry". As Ludwig AI explains, it describes a concern or anxiety that lacks justification or is not based on reality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unwarranted worry" describes a feeling of anxiety or concern that lacks justification. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not exceptionally common, it appears across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media, and scientific publications. Alternatives such as "unjustified concern" or "unfounded anxiety" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, be mindful to clearly articulate why the worry is unwarranted to avoid misinterpretation or offense. Overstating the worry can also undermine your credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unjustified concern

Replaces "worry" with "concern" and "unwarranted" with "unjustified", emphasizing the lack of valid reason for the feeling.

unfounded anxiety

Substitutes "worry" with "anxiety" and "unwarranted" with "unfounded", highlighting the lack of a solid basis for the apprehension.

needless apprehension

Replaces "worry" with "apprehension" and "unwarranted" with "needless", indicating the worry is unnecessary.

excessive concern

Replaces "unwarranted" with "excessive", focusing on the disproportionate level of worry.

baseless fear

Replaces "worry" with "fear" and "unwarranted" with "baseless", stressing the lack of foundation for the fear.

groundless unease

Substitutes "worry" with "unease" and "unwarranted" with "groundless", emphasizing the absence of valid reasons for the feeling of unease.

unnecessary anxiety

Replaces "unwarranted" with "unnecessary", indicating the worry is not needed.

unjustified apprehension

Combines "unjustified" with "apprehension", suggesting a lack of justification for the feeling of worry.

disproportionate concern

Focuses on the worry being out of proportion to the situation.

inordinate anxiety

Indicates the anxiety is excessive and beyond what is reasonable.

FAQs

What does "unwarranted worry" mean?

The phrase "unwarranted worry" describes a feeling of anxiety or concern that is not justified by the available evidence or the actual situation. It suggests the worry is excessive or unnecessary.

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

You can use "unwarranted worry" to describe someone's feelings or to comment on a situation. For example: "The media's sensationalism caused "unwarranted worry" among parents." or "His "unwarranted worry" about the presentation was eventually dispelled by positive feedback".

What are some alternatives to "unwarranted worry"?

Alternatives to "unwarranted worry" include "unjustified concern", "unfounded anxiety", or "needless apprehension depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "unwarranted worry"?

It's appropriate to use "unwarranted worry" when you want to emphasize that someone's concerns are not based on facts or reasonable expectations. Be sure that you can clearly articulate why the worry is unjustified to avoid appearing dismissive.