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.

A dismal February report fueled anxiety that joblessness was set to rise.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

Last fall, even a gradual decline in bank reserves sparked such acute anxiety in the bond market that the Fed quickly reversed course and began growing reserves again.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 18, 2026

"I remember being under so much physical stress that my anxiety hurt so bad that my skin hurt," said Carano.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

Your anxiety may come from the ad-hocness of this arrangement.

From MarketWatch • May 16, 2026

This anxiety was the mother of Bobby’s foresight, it kept him on edge and gave him an advantage.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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!