Overworries

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. Experiencing excessive concern or anxiety about situations or outcomes ; showing a tendency to fret beyond reasonable limits ; being habitually preoccupied with potential problems and difficulties
2. Displaying an exaggerated level of apprehension or nervousness towards matters ; having a persistent habit of undue worrying that affects judgment ; frequently dwelling on negative possibilities and hypothetical dangers without cause
3. Manifesting continual and disproportionate fear or unease about events ; possessing the inclination to become overly stressed or anxious ; often contemplating worst-case scenarios beyond rational expectations

Etymology: Worry began in Old English as "wyrgan," meaning to strangle, and it kept that violent sense for centuries. Its later meaning of harassing or tormenting came from dogs seizing and shaking sheep or other prey, which is why people once spoke of a dog "worrying" livestock. Over time the physical grip loosened into the mental torment we know now. The prefix "over-" adds the sense of too much, so overworry means to fret beyond what a situation warrants. "Overworries" is the third-person singular present form, used when describing someone or something that does this.

Synonyms: fret, agonize, stress, obsess, brood

Antonyms: ignore, relax, calm, neglect