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
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Recent Examples of anxiety
Part of the fabric of local families’ daily lives, providers have a front row seat to the anxiety over how ICE enforcement could impact kids.
—
Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Others are more about sustained anxiety or tension, such as feeling nervous and strung up.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Weighted blankets have been reported to lessen anxiety, relieve pain, and improve overall mood.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Studies show people who quit have lower rates of anxiety and depression and more positive outlooks on life overall.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Beki San Martin, Freep.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Others are more about sustained anxiety or tension, such as feeling nervous and strung up.
—Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
Weighted blankets have been reported to lessen anxiety, relieve pain, and improve overall mood.
—Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Feb. 2026
Studies show people who quit have lower rates of anxiety and depression and more positive outlooks on life overall.
—Sarah Todd, STAT, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
-
The killings of Good and Pretti sparked further fear and backlash.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Twelve years after an NFL game was first shown on television in a period of fear of war and triumph in war, the championship game itself was broadcast across the country for the first time.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The filmmaker leans pop-comic rather than petrifying in his final draft, opting for earnestness that smothers atmospheric dread.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2026
-
In its worst forms, paranoia is a misapplication of the tools of attention, devotion, and care, scuttled by dread, the oppression of the unknown, and a lack of support.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Melissa Michelson, a political science professor at Menlo College, said the donor list signals concern among wealthy Californians about potential tax increases.—
Grace Hase,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
-
These activities, conducted outside normal flight paths near El Paso International Airport, caused FAA concern about possible interference with civilian flights.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
January’s nonfarm payrolls report and consumer price index, set to hit screens days after their original release dates , could re-instill confidence in the market following a recent bout of panic selling.—
Sarah Min,
CNBC,
6 Feb. 2026
-
That level of panic is premature, experts say.—
Kaitlyn Huamani,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The social media giant's guidance offset worries about its sky-high spending on artificial intelligence.—
,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Keogh said that access is a security worry because people in the indictment include citizens of communist China, an American rival.—
Steve Patterson,
Florida Times-Union,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The score hums and pulses with modern unease, making the film feel like a fever dream that happens to borrow Brontë’s names.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Nancy Guthrie case highlights mounting unease over how much control Nest‑ and Ring‑style devices give both tech companies and law enforcement over intimate footage from people’s homes.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The critical bulletin issued to pilots and airlines not to fly below 18,000 feet was initially set for 10 days, a duration for a full grounding not used since the 9/11 terror attacks.—
Jennifer Jacobs,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The film delves into the fragility of the human mind, the dangers of AI warfare, and the indomitable spirit required to confront terror in an increasingly digital world.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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.—
Brady MacDonald,
Oc Register,
29 Dec. 2025
-
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.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
23 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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