anxiety

[ang-zahy-i-tee] / æŋˈzaɪ ɪ ti /

NOUN

worry, tension

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst apprehension concern disquiet doubt dread jitters misery misgiving mistrust nervousness panic restlessness suffering suspense trouble uncertainty unease uneasiness

STRONG

botheration butterflies care creeps disquietude distress downer drag fidgets flap foreboding fretfulness fuss heebie-jeebies jumps needles shakes shivers solicitude sweat watchfulness willies worriment

WEAK

all-overs ants in pants cold sweat goose bumps nail-biting pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage belief blessing calm calmness certainty collectedness confidence contentment ease faith happiness joy peace security sureness trust

STRONG

peacefulness

WEAK

assurance composure nonchalance tranquility

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.

To test this, they applied the same intervention to wild-type mice that naturally displayed elevated anxiety levels.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026

For her, the aftermath of that victory brought heightened anxiety, and searing criticism from outsiders when the Swedish professional’s play took a dip.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

She said the anxiety they live with every day intensifies when thinking about school.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

The stuck VLCCs are adding to the growing global anxiety about dwindling crude inventories.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

Isaac was so enthralled by the spirits that he didn’t seem to consider the source of Maggie and Kate’s noticeable anxiety.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Vocabulary lists containing anxiety

The SAT: Words to Capture Tone, List 4

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

"The Tell-Tale Heart," Vocabulary from the short story

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

The New SAT: Words to Capture Tone

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!