be anxious

VERB

fear

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anticipate avoid dread expect foresee shun suspect worry

STRONG

apprehend blanch cower crouch falter flinch fret quail quaver shrink shudder shy start tremble wilt

WEAK

be afraid be apprehensive be disquieted be frightened be in awe break out in a sweat dare not feel concern have butterflies have qualms lose courage

Antonyms

STRONGEST

face meet want

STRONG

calm steady stretch

WEAK

brave

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.

Be fretful, be anxious, be a quivering wreck about what might be in America, but keep perspective, too.

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

There are lots of reasons to be anxious as a parent.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Investors might be anxious about how AI is quickly threatening these entrenched industries.

From Barron's • Feb. 23, 2026

For starters, some chronic oversavers can be anxious and morose.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 24, 2025

“There is no reason to be anxious, beta,” she said.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon