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separation anxiety

American  

noun

  1. the normal fear and apprehension expressed by infants when removed from their mothers or approached by strangers.

  2. any similar reaction in later life caused by separation from familiar surroundings or close friends or family.

separation anxiety British  

noun

  1. psychoanal a state of distress felt at the prospect of being separated from a familiar or beloved person

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

She added that some dogs also suffered from separation anxiety, or were unable to be around other dogs and cats, or were unsafe around children.

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2025

At the heart of this guilt is often separation anxiety — a reality shaped by the travel demands of playing in the WNBA.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2025

When my older daughter struggled with separation anxiety at school, I was blamed for it and told that it was a result of my anxiety.

From Salon • Sep. 17, 2024

The longtime actress and producer, who lost her mom when she was just 10 years old, hopes that the book will offer a source of comfort to kids suffering from separation anxiety for whatever reason.

From Washington Times • Nov. 29, 2023

“Haven’t they ever heard of separation anxiety? What is the matter with these people? I have taken care of toddlers with FAS, and they are nothing like Boo.”

From "The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman" by Gennifer Choldenko

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.