as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
don't be overcome with anxiousness about things that may never happen
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Recent Examples of anxiousness
The anxiousness over the situation also stems from the way that Skydance’s purchase of Paramount Global went down last year.
—
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
There is also a lot of anxiousness going on in my mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Even so, Teller’s chatty anxiousness does contrast well with Turner’s smoldering, confident melancholy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
It’s believed that some of her injuries were caused by the dog’s anxiousness, leading her to panic while in her crate.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Eager, but unsupported Gen Z approaches AI with both enthusiasm and anxiousness.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
There is also a lot of anxiousness going on in my mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Even so, Teller’s chatty anxiousness does contrast well with Turner’s smoldering, confident melancholy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
It’s believed that some of her injuries were caused by the dog’s anxiousness, leading her to panic while in her crate.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Eager, but unsupported Gen Z approaches AI with both enthusiasm and anxiousness.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiousness
Noun
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The purpose is to foster humility, reduce a person’s anxiety by releasing their need for control and provide an external source of strength for long-term recovery.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
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Under a psychiatrist's care, she was prescribed anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications and regularly saw a therapist.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There’s a palpable fear that her smashmouth attack style won’t work, and his collaborative politics might, in a red state where a Republican primary pileup has given Democrats a rare opening.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
2 Mar. 2026
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Long lines at gas stations across the capital suggested fears of possible fuel shortages or plans by many to leave the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Activists have not communicated with police or city officials about the sirens, raising some concerns about how the devices are being used, how to inform residents about what the sounds from the sirens mean, and the possibility that the noise could become a nuisance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The New York investigation comes less than a week after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services halted Medicaid payments to Minnesota over fraud concerns.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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While many retirees focus on market crashes or poor investment returns as their biggest worry, financial experts warn that the slow, steady rise in the cost of living may actually pose a greater danger — one that can stretch across decades and leave retirees struggling to keep up.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
26 Feb. 2026
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Hufnagel addressed those worries, saying that 2026 is focused on optimizing the footprint through sharper assortments and marketing to support full-price sell-through and sustainable long-term growth.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
26 Feb. 2026
Noun
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How investors should respond to the moment depends on their savings and investment goals — but there are strategies to protect your portfolio during the heightened unease.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Feb. 2026
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But more broadly, the AI scare trade visited upon Nvidia on Thursday underscores a growing unease around the future of AI.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anxiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiousness. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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