anxiety attack

American  

[ang-zahy-i-tee-uh-tak] / æŋˈzaɪ ɪ ti əˌtæk /

noun

anxiety attacks plural

1. a sudden, intense feeling or episode of anxiety, typically accompanied by physical symptoms such as increased heart rate; a less acute panic attack.

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• anxiety attacks
  plural

Example Sentences

It seems obvious if not indisputable that people in the throes of a major depressive episode or anxiety attack are less likely to vote.

From Slate • Oct. 31, 2025

He has admitted that after one anxiety attack on stage in 2018 he contemplated quitting the sport.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2025

Lucy Yu wasn’t sure if she had smoke in her lungs or was having an anxiety attack.

From New York Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Of course, one person’s anxiety attack is merely another person’s drama.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 14, 2023

In his “M” notebook, where he had written about his pre-proposal anxiety attack, he now analyzed jealousy.

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman