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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxiety
There is not only economic disruption, but a growing sense of anxiety, disconnection, and doubt in human abilities.
—
Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Time, 10 Jan. 2026
Medical issues and money woes can create a fog of anxiety that obscures the path forward.
—Eric Thomas, Baltimore Sun, 10 Jan. 2026
The warrant stated that one of the children has been diagnosed with PTSD and anxiety, and has also reported having nightmares about Busfield touching him.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Jan. 2026
In laboratory experiments, people who chewed gum during mildly stressful tasks such as public speaking or mental math often reported lower anxiety levels than those who didn't.
—Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 10 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
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A lot of people get drawn into the fear, distracted by the thoughts in their head.—
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Many immigrant customers haven’t returned, while five of his former employees, despite having working papers, left Charlotte permanently out of fear.—
Noun
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That last reassuring prediction lowered my dread meter enough to consider the Connecticut homegrown disruptive events that will require attention but do not threaten annihilation.—
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For many Venezuelans in Austin, news that United States forces had captured Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, landed with a mix of relief and dread.—
Noun
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The measures, which had been agreed to in writing in mid-November 2023, were intended to address Lively’s concerns about on-set conduct and safety.—
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Venezuelan immigrants and political refugees are celebrating the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, despite local protests and legal concerns.—
Noun
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Witnesses described scenes of panic as flames spread rapidly through the basement level before engulfing the upper floor.—
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Kaitlin spent the first weeks of her newborn son’s life in a panic.—
Noun
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In these sectors, while unemployment hasn’t surged, hiring has essentially been frozen for the past year, especially for entry-level roles, as firms juggle worries over economic uncertainty and AI fears.—
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The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield moved higher on Monday as investor worries around the Federal Reserve’s independence spurred volatility in the stock market and following the 10-year auction.—
Noun
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Mia Goth’s dual roles add another layer of unease.—
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Political turmoil added to unease up North.—
Noun
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Charles Manson had turned the hippie identity into one of night-stalking terror.—
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Last December, armed rebels previously aligned with terror groups finally ousted Assad from power after a 14 year civil war.—
Noun
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Knott’s has unveiled its annual Seasons of Fun calendar that includes events dedicated to Peanuts characters, Boysenberry treats, summertime barbecues, Halloween frights and Christmas cheer.—
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Though Heitor is claimed to be no more harmful than a puppy, there are some moments of fright for Griff who is a little uneasy acting opposite him and at one point panics and tosses him overboard, resulting in Heitor’s gruesome demise.—
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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