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

Noun Inflected Forms

• anxiety attacks
  plural

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

anxiety attack

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

Responding via Instagram, Ariana Grande said she was "disheartened" to see the comments and claimed she'd left the event early because she "had an anxiety attack".

From BBC ● Oct. 22, 2024

Their films are visceral, less concerned with intricate plotting than the sheer experiences of their protagonists; the result is a movie that is somehow both wildly entertaining and a cinematic anxiety attack.

From New York Times ● Apr. 30, 2024

He was diagnosed with a severe anxiety attack, according to the attorney.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 16, 2024

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