anxiety

anx·i·ety

noun \aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē\

plural anx·i·eties

Definition of ANXIETY

1

a : painful or apprehensive uneasiness of mind usually over an impending or anticipated ill b : fearful concern or interest c : a cause of anxiety

2

: an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it

Examples of ANXIETY

1. feelings of anger and anxiety
2. She suffers from chronic anxiety.
3. He's been feeling a lot of anxiety about his new job.

Origin of ANXIETY

Latin anxietas, from anxius

First Known Use: circa 1525

Related to ANXIETY

Synonyms: agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervosity, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry

Antonyms: unconcern

Related Words: strain, stress, tension; alarm (also alarum), anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, franticness, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, panic, tremor; angst, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation; cold feet, doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty; compunction, qualm, scruple

Near Antonyms: calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness; comfort, consolation, relief, solace

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Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Rhymes with ANXIETY

impiety, nimiety, propriety, sobriety, society, variety