angst
Americannoun
noun
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an acute but nonspecific sense of anxiety or remorse
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(in Existentialist philosophy) the dread caused by man's awareness that his future is not determined but must be freely chosen
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of angst
First recorded in 1840–50; from German Angst “fear, anxiety,” Old High German angust (cognate with Middle Low German angest, Middle Dutch anxt ), from ang- (akin to eng “narrow, constricted”) + -st, abstract noun suffix
Explanation
Angst is a feeling of anxiety and frustration that isn't specific. People often feel angst about the state of the world, or about the state of their homework. Angst is anxiety that is mixed with frustration and negativity. Angst often doesn’t have a specific target: people feel angst in general. Teenagers are known for their angst, which is shown when they act miserable about nothing in particular. Often, angst refers to philosophical displeasure with world events or personal freedom. An angst-filled person is dissatisfied and unhappy.
Vocabulary lists containing angst
100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
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This Week in Words: October 13 – 20, 2018
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Don't Panic! Synonyms for "Stress"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Pentagon said the six members killed in the crash were John Klinner, 33; Ariana Savino, 31; Ashley Pruitt, 34; Seth Koval, 38; Curtis Angst, 30; and Tyler Simmons, 28.
From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026
Angst about money, home maintenance and the meaning of life tend to recede.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 8, 2025
Angst may sound a bit different for Gen-Z, but 'tude is genetic, or so it would often seem.
From Salon • Sep. 11, 2024
Angst Inside NPR: Many employees have expressed concern that a new group of six editors called the Backstop, who will review all of NPR’s journalism before it is released, will be unnecessary.
From New York Times • May 20, 2024
Stanza ii. of Johann Heermann's hymn, “Zion klagt mit Angst und Schmerzen”; Stanza xv. of Paul Flemming's hymn, “In allen meinen Thaten”; rest original.
From Johann Sebastian Bach by Forkel, Johann Nikolaus
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
