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
Relevance
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
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
Doing so acknowledges their efforts and normalizes their emotions, which reduces the shame that so often accompanies anxiety.
—
Angela Haupt, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Last year, the most common categories included: • Bullying – 2,005 tips
• Suicide – 1,608 tips
• Other (e.g., anxiety, stress.
—Elyse Apel, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Any more than this amount may lead to side effects like anxiety and nausea.
—Samantha Lauriello, Health, 5 Aug. 2025
Here are seven alternative activities to try that experts say can be just as effective:
Research shows that expressive art therapy, like painting, may help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve mood by engaging areas of the brain that promote calm.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Angela Haupt, Time, 6 Aug. 2025
Last year, the most common categories included: • Bullying – 2,005 tips
• Suicide – 1,608 tips
• Other (e.g., anxiety, stress.
—Elyse Apel, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2025
Any more than this amount may lead to side effects like anxiety and nausea.
—Samantha Lauriello, Health, 5 Aug. 2025
Here are seven alternative activities to try that experts say can be just as effective:
Research shows that expressive art therapy, like painting, may help reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve mood by engaging areas of the brain that promote calm.
—Noma Nazish, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
-
And yet, our fears or feelings that things will spiral out of control again?—
Kenny Malone,
NPR,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Advertisement Advertisement For one thing, Putin decided that spring to send tens of thousands of troops to his border with Ukraine, raising fears of an imminent invasion.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
That feeling of dread is really only a response to our dread as to what humans are capable of.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Right now, a legislator, even Anwar, spending time in prison adds to the whispers of dread circulating around Hartford.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
9 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
His worry is that a robust response could be lacking since both the U.S. and a number of European countries have cut so much of their humanitarian aid.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
-
The New York Yankees have maintained an optimistic tone, despite some real reason for worry.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As Mackey and Noem bust into the theater, the audience scrambles in panic.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
7 Aug. 2025
-
A lot of this movie is just a close-up on her face avoiding — and occasionally giving into — panic.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
For Type 2 Diabetes, Potatoes Have a Bad Rap Blood sugar control is no small concern for Americans.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
8 Aug. 2025
-
All in all, few realize the significance of this otherwise innocuous and under-the-radar concern.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Some candidates for office have expressed unease about disciplinary actions that were taken against four writers earlier this year.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The Mountain West has subsequently pillaged lower levels for new members, and the domino effect has left many mid-majors in a state of unease at best, total disarray and panic at worst.—
Jim Root,
New York Times,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Far to the north, in the Montes de Maria region where Nawar Jimenez grew up, the terror instilled by armed groups is also deep-rooted.—
Ladan Anoushfar,
CNN Money,
6 Aug. 2025
-
How about James Clifford, a 6-6, 235-pound tight end who averaged 9.5 yards on his receptions a year ago and is an absolute terror as an end on defense.—
Steve Brand,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Well, consider that, unlike what’s happening in the world at large, the frights and delights inside Viola’s Room are actually fun.—
Christian Allaire,
Vogue,
26 June 2025
-
Ah well, Cesare already has two sequel novels published, so there’s already plenty more Frendo the Clown frights ready to be harvested.—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
9 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share