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 dread
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
Labor market anxiety was on full display last month when markets dropped on a Citrini Research report outlining an extreme scenario where AI disrupted every manner of knowledge jobs faster than the economy and policymakers could manage the transition.
—
Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
In every scene, Terry Malloy is being devoured by regret, torn apart about doing the right thing, and simmering with an existential anxiety that could blow at any second.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Her mother passes whatever economic and societal anxiety to her young daughter.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
In a year where anxiety over studio contraction and the rise of artificial intelligence often consumed the industry, both films gave Hollywood fresh hope.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Conor Sen, Twin Cities, 15 Mar. 2026
In every scene, Terry Malloy is being devoured by regret, torn apart about doing the right thing, and simmering with an existential anxiety that could blow at any second.
—Devan Coggan, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
Her mother passes whatever economic and societal anxiety to her young daughter.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 15 Mar. 2026
In a year where anxiety over studio contraction and the rise of artificial intelligence often consumed the industry, both films gave Hollywood fresh hope.
—Dallas Morning News, 15 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
-
Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
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Iran’s neighbors, particularly Turkey and Iraq, are preparing contingency plans including border fortifications and refugee shelters amid fears of a potential crisis.—
Sam McNeil,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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This collection hums with multiracial dread, and explores the nuances of family making outside hegemony.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
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One gets the sense, reading DuBois, that Stanton’s fervor for political action stemmed from a dread of being governed by idiots.—
Moira Donegan,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Accessibility With ramps down to the entrance, two elevators serving all floors, and wide corridors, this hotel is easily traversable for those in wheelchairs or with mobility concerns.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
12 Mar. 2026
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The letter also raised concerns about foreign investment in Paramount’s offer, noting that the deal included potential financing from Chinese company Tencent Holdings, which had previously withdrawn funding due to national security review concerns.—
Max Tani,
semafor.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eyes wide, panting near panic, Foster perfectly captures the audience's own fear of being alone in the dark with a monster.—
Darren Franich,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Mar. 2026
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Neighboring India, which is the world’s second-largest importer of LPG after China, is grappling with panic-buying among its own citizens amid wild swings in the price of international Brent crude oil, which as of early Friday was above $100 a barrel.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Another couple moved their entire wedding into a massive underground garage, where hundreds of celebrants could party worry-free.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
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So there was just a lot of worry about whether or not these would continue to be positioned correctly in the market.—
Joel Feder,
The Drive,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Mann’s unease might have had deeper roots.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
In an unlikely collaboration, Google and Tesla are paying attention to Americans’ unease and sentiment.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Her taste for wicked, wildly inventive terror continues to make the increasingly beloved festival’s bite-sized offerings one of its most reliable highlights.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
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Kayumi meanwhile allegedly told investigators he was affiliated with ISIS and watched the terror group’s propaganda on his phone.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The real fright, though, came midway through that final frame, when star center Dylan Larkin went down in a heap after his skate seemed to catch awkwardly on the ice.—
Max Bultman,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Many movies tried to recreate its magic mixture, including some of its own sequels, but few achieved the merry concoction of frights, gore, and giggles that Craven handled so masterfully.—
Declan Gallagher,
Entertainment Weekly,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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