anxiety

[ang-zahy-i-tee]

noun

plural

anxieties 

1. distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune.

   He felt anxiety about the possible loss of his job.

   Synonyms: disquiet, worry, foreboding, fear
   Antonyms: tranquility, serenity, certainty

2. earnest but tense desire; eagerness.

   He had a keen anxiety to succeed in his work.

3. Psychiatry.,  a state of apprehension and psychic tension occurring in some forms of mental disorder.

anxiety

/ æŋˈzaɪɪtɪ /

noun

1. a state of uneasiness or tension caused by apprehension of possible future misfortune, danger, etc; worry

2. intense desire; eagerness

3. psychol a state of intense apprehension or worry often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shaking, intense feelings in the gut, etc, common in mental illness or after a very distressing experience See also angst

anxiety

1. A state of apprehension and fear resulting from the anticipation of a threatening event or situation.

2. ◆ In psychiatry, a patient has an anxiety disorder ◆ if normal psychological functioning is disrupted or if anxiety persists without an identifiable cause.

anxiety

1. Emotional distress, especially that brought on by fear of failure. (See also angst.)

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxiety¹

First recorded in 1515–25; from Latin anxietās, equivalent to anxi(us) anxious + -etās, variant of -itās before a vowel

Word History and Origins

Origin of anxiety¹

C16: from Latin anxietas; see _anxious

Synonym Study

See apprehension.

Example Sentences

Their “internal conflict, depression, and anxiety” is ascribed solely to urges “inconsistent with their faith or values.”

Read more on Salon

One of their attorneys, Victoria Alford, said they were injured while they fled the massive explosion, calling the plant workers’ physical injuries “orthopedic in nature,” and said they were also suffering from anxiety.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"We have one of the worst systems in terms of making housing available to the poorest. We are looking at homelessness being related to health factors - trauma, depression, anxiety. And we've increasing levels of poverty."

Read more on BBC

This resulted in severe stress and anxiety that led her to need a six-week medical leave, according to the lawsuit.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Both of us trusted him to do what he thought was right, and are very proud of him for what he did, but the anxiety level has been very high, absolutely,” Adler’s father, Paul, said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• angst 
• apprehension 
• concern 
• disquiet 
• doubt 
• dread 
• jitters www.thesaurus.com
• misery 
• misgiving 
• mistrust 
• nervousness 
• panic 
• restlessness 
• suffering 
• suspense 
• trouble 
• uncertainty 
• unease 
• uneasiness www.thesaurus.com