separation anxiety
Americannoun
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the normal fear and apprehension expressed by infants when removed from their mothers or approached by strangers.
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any similar reaction in later life caused by separation from familiar surroundings or close friends or family.
noun
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 is understandably traumatised by this and is now suffering with separation anxiety with me because she does not want me to go and not come back 'like daddy did'."
From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2026
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.
