1
as in fear
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
Dorothy's anxiety about her brother's operation kept her awake all night
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fearfulness
the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger
the newly discovered virus is creating considerable anxiety in the public at large
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxiety
Safety concerns following a string of plane crashes and cuts affecting the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as stories about tourists being thrown into detention centers without due process or being denied entry possibly because of anti-Trump views, have also heightened travel anxiety.
—
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Most memorable moment: That tense conversation with Timothy about his missing gun ripples with anxiety.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, a retake meant lost income, added anxiety and prolonged professional uncertainty.
—Zack Defazio Farrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Some experts think screen use is causing sleep problems, and rising rates of anxiety and depression among children may also be affecting slumber.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Vivian Song, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2025
Most memorable moment: That tense conversation with Timothy about his missing gun ripples with anxiety.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Apr. 2025
For many, a retake meant lost income, added anxiety and prolonged professional uncertainty.
—Zack Defazio Farrell, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Apr. 2025
Some experts think screen use is causing sleep problems, and rising rates of anxiety and depression among children may also be affecting slumber.
—ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
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Orr’s study also found that even as silence about climate change can spiral into deeper fears of speaking out, speaking about the issue can drive a spiral toward further discussion and action — and that individual conversations can play a surprisingly large role.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
17 Apr. 2025
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Creating a culture of fear by persecuting unpopular individuals and groups?—
Garry Kasparov,
The Atlantic,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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This is important because lower yields can help the economy and are the typical bond reaction during worries about economic growth.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
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Bits and pieces to friends, tender moments and worries to others.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trump faces growing pushback from his own party The markets were still in a panic on Monday when an unverified report circulated that the president was considering a 90-day pause on the tariffs.—
Time,
Time,
10 Apr. 2025
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Two more came in July of 2002, when panic over corporate fraud set-off by Enron’s collapse the year before, finally eased.—
Brandon Kochkodin,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Now, in the case of the United States, there’s no concern whatsoever with what anybody thinks on the outside.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
10 Apr. 2025
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That’s a major concern for media as advertisers review budgets.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
Noun
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For many, as the rain kept falling, there was a sense of dread that the worst was still to come.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 Apr. 2025
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Thus, the fear of displacement has not become a distant memory but a continuous dread as the age of gentrification looms over the neighborhood.—
Alyza J Figueroa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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What is new, however, is the atmosphere of unease ushered in by Donald Trump’s return to power.—
Alex Ashley,
Rolling Stone,
9 Apr. 2025
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Even when upheaval isn’t imminent within your organization, broad societal and economic shifts can create a sense of unease, as external stressors inevitably impact workplace morale.—
Michael McFall,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
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