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Synonym Chooser

How is the word anxiety distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of anxiety are care, concern, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

Where would care be a reasonable alternative to anxiety?

The meanings of care and anxiety largely overlap; however, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When would concern be a good substitute for anxiety?

The words concern and anxiety can be used in similar contexts, but concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When is it sensible to use solicitude instead of anxiety?

The synonyms solicitude and anxiety are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When might worry be a better fit than anxiety?

The words worry and anxiety are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of anxiety The Federal Reserve began dropping interest rates last year as inflation cooled, but anxiety about the Trump administration’s tariff policies, and the possibility of higher inflation, led Fed officials to hold off on any further cuts so far in 2025. Brian J. Rogal, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025 Those battling depression, trauma, anxiety or substance use will have to jump over new hurdles to prove exemptions. F.t. Burden, Baltimore Sun, 28 May 2025 After hitting a high earlier in the year, shares fell amid broader market turbulence and investor anxiety about whether the AI trade had gotten overheated. Shannon Carroll, Quartz, 28 May 2025 Yeah, depression and anxiety – all the fun things, those illnesses or disorders, whatever the word is. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
  • Such a low number spurred fears the ongoing trade war may finally be starting to affect the economy’s hard data.
    Paolo Confino, Fortune, 4 June 2025
  • Exploiting this vulnerability, 764 members tend to elicit fear by threatening to share a victim’s explicit or harmful content with family and friends or publicly online, ultimately forcing them to comply with their demands.
    Alex Vance, Parents, 4 June 2025
Noun
  • Because of the outsize anticipation, initial reports of delays and extensive rewrites on Season 2 created worries that the series’ intricate narrative puzzle might implode.
    Tim Grierson, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2025
  • There happens to be one available that would help ease any worry about Bosa's injury issues throughout the year.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Advocacy organizations that defend immigrant rights such as the Rural & Migrant Ministry and the Finger Lakes Rapid Response Network have held workshops to teach immigrants about their legal rights and to discourage them from spreading panic with unverified reports.
    Ana Ley, New York Times, 30 May 2025
  • Remove some anxiety by preparing a hurricane kit of essentials now so you aren’t huddled in a soul-crushing line of fellow panic buyers at the supermarkets when the next storm watch and warning arrives.
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 29 May 2025
Noun
  • In his decision, Liman found the article was protected reporting on a matter of public concern and dismissed all claims against the Times.
    Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
  • Supplement Delivery Formats Get a Modern Makeover The Vitamin Shoppe’s report found that 69 percent of Americans take supplements with energy, immunity, cognition and bone health as key areas of concern.
    Emily Burns, Footwear News, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • As the anniversary of Will’s disappearance approaches, so does a heavy, familiar dread.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 June 2025
  • Does the thought of snakes gliding through the air at frightening speeds fill you with dread?
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • The second important thing to say about the speculation around Doctor Who is that the drama’s key figures — including Gatwa himself — have done little to dispel the sense of unease.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 23 May 2025
  • Local police are investigating the incident as theft, while Sevnica officials expressed unease, saying Melania's image was never a source of pride for the town.
    Amanda Castro, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anxiety

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