separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings

Examples of separation anxiety in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But by the end, in its rush, the movie still hasn’t quite come up with a point of view on whether McCartney really got over his bust-up with Lennon with a little help from his Wings friends, or whether forming a band was ultimately incidental to overcoming any lingering separation anxiety. —Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Sep. 2025

The organization recommended owners rule out problems such as separation anxiety, which can cause dogs to chew intensely when left alone. —Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

As stated, separation anxiety is not predicated on a specific campus, meaning that these struggles are likely to occur whenever student leaves home. —Eric Wood, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

That can put them on edge and heighten their separation anxiety, Langan said, and if their owners are depressed or grief-stricken about loss and uncertainty, the animals absorb those emotions too. —Steve Lopez, Mercury News, 24 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for separation anxiety

• antianxiety
• intersociety
• contrariety
• impropriety
• inebriety
• notoriety
• gaiety
• piety
• impiety
• propriety
• satiety
• sobriety

Medical Definition

separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence