angst
Americannoun
noun
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an acute but nonspecific sense of anxiety or remorse
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(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
100 Words to Make You Sound Smart
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This Week in Words: October 13 – 20, 2018
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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.
Amid the rising angst over the sovereign debt selloff, global investors are buying a more-than-usual amount of bond funds.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 11, 2026
As an organizational psychologist, I’m convinced that Mark’s existential angst is not unique, nor is it relegated to content creators.
From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026
That such a destiny is written in the stars, or that it ought to be guaranteed through the sheer gravity of my angst.
From Slate ● Aug. 28, 2026
The figures come during rising angst about when the vast sums of cash pumped into AI software and hardware will see a meaningful return, if ever.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
During a six-month flirtation with teenage angst, I stopped speaking to my parents, refused to turn in homework, and threw my old books in the trash.
From "The Gene" by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Definitions 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.
