ANXIETIES Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

anxiety

noun

aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē

Definition of anxiety

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

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

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 This bipartisan anxiety helps explain why candidates in both parties are talking about the issue. — Maham Javaid, NPR, 5 Sep. 2026 Importantly, such research demonstrated the formidable risk associated with self-criticism for postpartum depression and anxiety, as well as for disruptions in mother-child communication, which might exacerbate postpartum psychopathology. — Torie Bosch, STAT, 5 Sep. 2026 Despite being prescribed over a dozen medications, Lindsay’s anxiety, depression and insomnia worsen. — Selena Barrientos, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026 She’s played by Sofia Boutella in another one of the Schrader women roles who exists only as a prism to refract male anxieties, a foil to a man’s moral quandaries. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anxiety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety

Noun

Experts say cartels use car bombs to intimidate rivals and authorities, pressure the government and spread fear among civilians.

— María Verza, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2026
At each turn, a heartbreaking picture comes into sharper focus, underscoring Ricki’s destructive appetite that exploits Rita’s deepest needs and fears under the guise of friendship and no-judgement sisterhood.

— Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

The rattle of a bride’s gold earring or the rasp of straightener steam through a bride’s hair takes on a panic-inducingly eerie quality thanks to Marie-Clotilde Chery’s chilling sound design.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026
Plenkovic has accused his political opponents of fueling panic for political gain.

— Darko Bandic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of panic

Noun

While more than 100 law enforcement agencies across the country have ended their contracts with Flock Safety in recent weeks over privacy concerns, the company and the state of Georgia are deeply tied to one another.

— Irene Wright, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
And as a result, the data centers built to enable this growth have drawn scrutiny from communities and across party lines, including concerns over higher electric bills.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of concern

Noun

The mood would be a mix of confidence, desperation and nagging dread.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Instead, Sega and Creative Assembly have bet on pure atmosphere, dread that runs deeper thanks to more detailed graphics and audio, and of course, letting everyone know the Xenomorph's dynamic AI has evolved too.

— Fran Ruiz, Space.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of dread

Noun

Bi is at work on a black gown with a veil, which Christian worries is taking up too much time.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, worries over inflation, higher rates and high debt remain in focus, as benchmark borrowing costs around the world extend their multi-decade highs.

— Justina Lee, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

As dark occurrences begin to shatter the quiet of their isolated home, the boy is forced to navigate a harrowing psychological nightmare where the line between real-world madness and supernatural terror blurs.

— Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 1 Sep. 2026
His thinking ensured that the hotel needed only minor updates over the decades, the biggest renovation resulting from a deadly terror attack and siege in Mumbai in 2008.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of terror

Noun

Her government was also the first led by a party with neo-fascist roots, and European allies and financial markets viewed her with unease.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
The rise in bond yields is a global phenomenon, rooted in investors’ unease over unchecked government spending and intensified by bets that central banks may keep interest rates higher for longer.

— John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Halloween Horror Nights opened Thursday at the theme park where screams of excitement turned to screams of fright.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
In the movie, a group of teens accidentally release a bunch of monsters from Stine’s book collection, creating complete havoc and plenty of great family-friendly frights.

— Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fright

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antsy

anxiety

anxious

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“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of anxiety

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