Anxiety — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē/ anx·i·ety

Meaning & Definition of Anxiety

Anxiety (noun)

  1. apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated misfortune, a state of being anxious
  2. an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physical signs (such as tension, sweating, and increased pulse rate), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it
  3. mentally distressing concern or interest

Anxiety (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervosity, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry
    related: strain, stress, tension, alarm, anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, franticness, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, panic, tremor, angst, fearfulness, torment, upset, vexation, cold feet, doubt, dread, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense, uncertainty, compunction, qualm, scruple
    opposite: unconcern
    near: calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquility, tranquilness, comfort, consolation, relief, solace

  2. the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger

    "the newly discovered virus is creating considerable anxiety in the public at large"

    similar: alarm, dread, fear, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, scare, terror, trepidation
    related: phobia, creeps, jitters, nervousness, willies, pang, qualm, twinge, agitation, apprehension, consternation, discomposure, disquiet, funk, perturbation, concern, dismay, worry, cowardice, faintheartedness, timidity, timorousness
    near: aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, fortitude, gallantry, hardihood, intrepidity, intrepidness, stoutness, valor, audacity, guts, nerve

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Anxiety

The most common words with a similar meaning to Anxiety:

agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet, disquietude, fear, nervosity, nervousness, perturbation, solicitude, sweat, unease, uneasiness, worry, alarm, dread, fearfulness, fright, horror, panic, scare, terror, trepidation

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Anxiety

Words with the opposite meaning of Anxiety:

unconcern

Related Words for Anxiety

strain, stress, tension, anguish, consternation, desperateness, desperation, discomfort, discomposure, dismay, distraction, distress, disturbance, edginess, franticness, hand-wringing, jitters, jumpiness, tremor, angst, torment, upset, vexation, cold feet, doubt, foreboding, incertitude, misgiving, presentiment, suspense

Near Antonyms of Anxiety

calm, calmness, content, contentment, ease, easiness, peace, peacefulness, placidity, placidness, quiet, quietude, sereneness, serenity, tranquility, tranquilness, comfort, consolation, relief, solace, aplomb, assurance, boldness, confidence, self-assurance, self-confidence, bravery, courage, courageousness, daring

Word Forms of Anxiety

Inflections: anxieties

Origin & Etymology of Anxiety

Middle English anxiete, borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French anxieté, borrowed from Latin anxietāt-, anxietās "apprehensive uneasiness, worry, solicitude," from anxius "worried, disturbed, anxious" + -etāt-, -etās, variant of -itāt-, -tās -ity

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Anxiety

Words & Phrases Containing Anxiety

anxiety attack, anxiety disorder, anxiety neurosis, anxiety state, generalized anxiety disorder, illness anxiety disorder, separation anxiety

Frequently Asked Questions about Anxiety

What does "Anxiety" mean?

"Anxiety" means apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated misfortune, a state of being anxious. As a noun, it is defined as: apprehensive uneasiness or nervousness usually over an impending or anticipated misfortune, a state of being anxious. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Anxiety"?

Other words for "Anxiety" include agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern and concernment. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Anxiety" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Anxiety"?

There are 72 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Anxiety". Common alternatives include agita, agitation, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, concernment, disquiet and disquietude.

What is the opposite of "Anxiety"?

Antonyms of "Anxiety" include unconcern. Near antonyms include calm, calmness, content and contentment.

How do you use "Anxiety" in a sentence?

Examples of "Anxiety" in a sentence: "Dorothy's anxiety about her brother's operation kept her awake all night"; "the newly discovered virus is creating considerable anxiety in the public at large".

Is "Anxiety" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Anxiety" is a noun.

Is "Anxiety" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Anxiety" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Anxiety"?

"Anxiety" is pronounced /aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē/ and divided into syllables as anx·i·ety.