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
It’s now being used to treat migraines, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and anxiety.
—
Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Norton’s father said the Pippins provide the visual icon to fight the stigma that is attached to the conversation around anxiety, depression, and mental health.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
The brain, already primed by expectation or anxiety, magnifies those sensations, producing very real pain, bloating, brain fog, fatigue or mood swings.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Stress is a major trigger for many people with axSpA, which means keeping anxiety and stress levels as low as possible can be as important as physical care.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Norton’s father said the Pippins provide the visual icon to fight the stigma that is attached to the conversation around anxiety, depression, and mental health.
—Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
The brain, already primed by expectation or anxiety, magnifies those sensations, producing very real pain, bloating, brain fog, fatigue or mood swings.
—New Atlas, 24 Oct. 2025
Stress is a major trigger for many people with axSpA, which means keeping anxiety and stress levels as low as possible can be as important as physical care.
—Cheyenne Buckingham, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
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The result came after Milei’s party suffered a landslide defeat to the Peronist opposition in a September local vote in the Buenos Aires province, an outcome that sparked a selloff of the peso amid investor fears over the president’s standing with voters.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
27 Oct. 2025
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Harrison expressed deep fears that the White House could take an ax to CPB and public media more broadly.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite its speculative premise, the series captures the loneliness that has pervaded society since the COVID pandemic and the dread of a future in which artificial intelligence might render human interaction obsolete.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
27 Oct. 2025
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The resulting amalgam of curious thoughts, heartfelt angst, expressions of longing or dread, make for a raw, touching saga shared by dozens of people, all seemingly looking for meaning.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Shanahan, the head coach in Washington from 2010 to 2013, once grilled Paulsen on offensive tackle protections out of worry the tight end might have to play emergency tackle in a preseason game.—
Jourdan Rodrigue,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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Those worries resulted in a European bank stock selloff last week, although the sector quickly rebounded.—
Tasmin Lockwood,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The panic began when a pilot reportedly heard knocking on the cockpit door and was unable to contact his crew.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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None of the panic, none of the prophetism.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Takaichi was expected to raise Japan’s security concerns about Beijing’s military build-up to Trump during his visit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
28 Oct. 2025
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Fears of climate change are decreasing in the United States, China and many Western countries relative to other concerns, according to a new survey.—
Matthew Tostevin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Unlike past contests, this vote has unfolded against a backdrop of deep sociopolitical unease and visible youth engagement.—
Amindeh Blaise Atabong,
semafor.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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This shift, unprecedented in modern Japanese history, has prompted unease among nationalist groups and some conservative politicians.—
Micah McCartney,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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That mixture of terror and safety is the secret sauce for Mike Jubie, creator of the Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses in New York’s historic Hudson Valley.—
Isabel Rosales,
CNN Money,
25 Oct. 2025
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On the other, a vision of what life would be like without the terror group.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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At that scale, chocolate prices hit with much more of a fright.—
Alina Selyukh,
NPR,
24 Oct. 2025
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Attendees will also get to enjoy the 12 pinball machines, racing games, retro games, giant centipede, air hockey, Guitar Hero, hoops, Skee Ball and so much on the night of frights.—
AvidXchange Music Factory,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
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