care-worn

A care-worn woman sits by the window, looking out at the rain.

Definition

Adjective: "Care-worn" describes a person’s appearance or expression that shows the effects of prolonged worry, anxiety, or stress. It implies a visible weariness or exhaustion caused by persistent concern or responsibility.

Usage Examples

• (Her face showed visible signs of long-term worry.)
• (She appeared exhausted from constant anxiety.)
• (His appearance reflected the toll of stress.)

Advanced Usage

• "Care-worn" as a compound adjective: It is typically used before a noun (e.g., ) or after a linking verb (e.g., ). It is not used in comparative forms (e.g., is rare but acceptable).
• Emotional nuance: Unlike "tired" or "weary," "care-worn" specifically implies that the weariness stems from mental or emotional burden, not physical exertion alone.

Variants and Related Words

• Careworn (alternative spelling): The same word, often written without a hyphen.
  • His careworn expression betrayed his inner turmoil. (His face showed worry.)
• Worn (adj): Damaged or exhausted by use or age.
  • The old jacket was worn at the elbows. (Damaged from use.)
• Care (n): A state of worry or concern.
  • She was free from care for the first time in years. (No anxiety.)

Synonyms

• Weary: Physically or mentally exhausted.
  • The weary traveler needed rest. (Tired from journey.)
• Anxious: Feeling worry or unease.
  • He was anxious about the exam results. (Worried.)
• Haggard: Looking exhausted and unwell, especially from worry.
  • The haggard soldier had not slept in days. (Appeared worn from stress.)

Related Idioms

• Worn to a shadow: Extremely exhausted or thin from worry or work.
  • After the crisis, she was worn to a shadow. (Completely depleted.)
• Bowed down with care: Overwhelmed by worry.
  • He was bowed down with care after the business failed. (Burdened by anxiety.)

Usage Notes

• Register: "Care-worn" is a literary or formal adjective, often used in descriptive writing, fiction, or character sketches. It is less common in casual conversation.
• Collocations: Common with nouns like , , , , , .
  • His care-worn features softened when he saw his child. (His stressed appearance eased.)
• Not to be confused with: "Carefree" (without worry), which is the opposite.