angst
Americannoun
noun
-
an acute but nonspecific sense of anxiety or remorse
-
(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
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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.
Yet despite a recent supply pause, those bonds have still underperformed the broader market, creating angst and putting pressure on a growing part of many bond portfolios.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2026
Much current angst is focused on electronic shelf labels, which have replaced the printed labels that dotted shelves at groceries and other stores.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
The company's stock price has tanked around 30 percent this month as yields on some of its bonds soared, reflecting heightened angst over its future.
From Barron's ● Oct. 19, 2026
Economic angst might not be good for the stock market overall, but investors who get ahead of the trend can dull the blow.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Her face was full of angst, but she didn’t say anything.
From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
