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
The puppy's calm demeanor struck a chord with TikTok users, many of whom are navigating the challenging waters of puppy separation anxiety themselves.
—
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
That helps kids cope with separation anxiety by emphasizing that caregivers return after temporary separations, such as little ones going to school.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 24 June 2025
Airlines are making a ridiculous amount of money by selling you the promise of avoiding a middle seat or exploiting your separation anxiety or your claustrophobia.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Managing Separation Anxiety To help children cope with separation anxiety, parents should establish a consistent routine, create a comforting goodbye routine, and offer as much support and reassurance as needed along the way.
—Corinne Schuman, Parents, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for separation anxiety
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Maria Morava, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 July 2025
That helps kids cope with separation anxiety by emphasizing that caregivers return after temporary separations, such as little ones going to school.
—Anna Halkidis, Parents, 24 June 2025
Airlines are making a ridiculous amount of money by selling you the promise of avoiding a middle seat or exploiting your separation anxiety or your claustrophobia.
—Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 10 May 2025
Managing Separation Anxiety To help children cope with separation anxiety, parents should establish a consistent routine, create a comforting goodbye routine, and offer as much support and reassurance as needed along the way.
—Corinne Schuman, Parents, 6 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for separation anxiety
Cite this Entry
“Separation anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation%20anxiety. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share