anxiousness
Americannoun
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the state of being greatly worried; mental distress or uneasiness because of fear of danger or misfortune; anxiety.
The warm welcome from her new classmates made all her anxiousness go away.
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the state of being earnestly desirous; eagerness (followed by to orfor ).
As he sat in the cabin of the combat plane, he felt no fear or apprehension, just anxiousness to get airborne.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of anxiousness
First recorded in 1630–40; anxious ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )
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.
When he was awake, he was gripped by anxiousness and fear.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 30, 2026
"It will just take the anxiousness away from every storm, every winter - even when it rains the anxiety levels are through the roof," she said.
From BBC ● Feb. 1, 2026
“That’s the only anxiousness I feel. It’s not because of my illness, let’s put it that way,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025
He admitted a bit of anxiousness crept in as he wondered who he’d been paired with, before he spotted a clue about the identity of his mystery roommate.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 18, 2024
At the station he sees his father waiting on the darkened platform, wearing sneakers and corduroys, anxiousness in his face.
From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
