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
Still, Ullrich acknowledged that there’s reason for young adults’ anxiety.
—
Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Success certainly puts her under no obligation to fake a smile and hide her anxieties.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the most obvious comparison is Hulu’s series The Bear, another high-anxiety show about the world of elite restaurants named after animals.
—Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
These experiences can lead to lasting issues with perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, burnout, and other mental health struggles.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Alex Harring, CNBC, 3 Oct. 2025
Success certainly puts her under no obligation to fake a smile and hide her anxieties.
—Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025
Perhaps the most obvious comparison is Hulu’s series The Bear, another high-anxiety show about the world of elite restaurants named after animals.
—Andrew Bernard, The Washington Examiner, 3 Oct. 2025
These experiences can lead to lasting issues with perfectionism, anxiety, people-pleasing, burnout, and other mental health struggles.
—Megan McCluskey, Time, 3 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
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The fear was that Jayden Daniels would be limited, that the brace on his left knee — or the knee itself — would hinder his running or his elusiveness, eliminate his quick cuts or somehow slow him down.—
Nicki Jhabvala,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Colangelo added that, in these depictions, the fear of transness is more present than the fear of being killed.—
Mathew Rodriguez,
Them.,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The move, which had been expected for weeks, is nonetheless being greeted with dread inside the news division.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Oct. 2025
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But few Dracula adaptations can summon the depth of feeling and atmospheric dread of Tod Browning's 1931 adaptation.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Shanen Wright, 48, a lifelong Charleston resident who lives near CAMC Memorial, said many in the city have little worry about flooding in the face of more immediate problems, like the opioid epidemic and the decline of manufacturing and mining.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
5 Oct. 2025
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Rising worries During the Milken Institute Asia Summit, other experts warned that retail inflows could distort pricing, erode returns and destabilize fund structures designed for long-term investments or patient capital.—
Lee Ying Shan,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The result, ideally, is the quarterback can trust wherever the ball is going, rather than panic if the first option is covered.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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The scene is nonetheless a nod to the nuance that lies beyond the urgent, all-consuming panic of the unfolding crisis, and a queasy echo of the many such encounters that don’t end so amicably.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The Phillies entered the ninth trailing 4-1 and quickly reminded the Dodgers why their bullpen concerns are so loud.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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On the heels of Karen’s sentencing, the women gather at Gizelle’s house to commiserate, and spend the whole scene dancing between concern, empathy, and absurdity.—
Shamira Ibrahim,
Vulture,
6 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
News of the deaths ricocheted through the prison system, spreading fear and unease.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The university acknowledged receiving messages expressing unease about the event, which was organized by the campus's chapter.—
Michael Ruiz , Stepheny Price , Preston Mizell,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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What happened next, according to first responders, Jasper's aunt Amber Rosen, churchgoers, hospital officials and family members of those impacted, is a blur of violence and terror with the pop-pop-pop of an assault weapon and thick black smoke from fire hanging in the air.—
Georgea Kovanis,
Freep.com,
5 Oct. 2025
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The suspect behind the deadly car and knife terror attack outside a synagogue in Manchester in the United Kingdom on Thursday has been identified by police as Jihad Al-Shamie, a 35-year-old British citizen of Syrian descent.—
Michael Dorgan,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
From the extensive Halloween playlist from last week, to this playful song, kids learn that the fake frights of Halloween are all just fun and games.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
3 Oct. 2025
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As the decorations go up and the costumes come together, Indy-area neighborhoods, stages, historic sites and more are gearing up for their annual Halloween festivities and frights.—
Domenica Bongiovanni,
IndyStar,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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