anxiety attack

noun

plural anxiety attacks
: a sudden feeling or episode of anxiety
specifically : an episode of mild to severe worry, distress, or fear that may last for hours or days, is typically preceded by a period of gradually increasing levels of fear and worry (such as that associated with a perceived stressor or threat), and that has symptoms (such as increased heart rate and shortness of breath) similar to but often less intense than those associated with a panic attack
… the odds of coming across someone in college having an anxiety attack are fairly high. Alisa Patience
The mention of any political figure in the vicinity of my dining room table is enough to induce an anxiety attack. Anna Little
I remember getting ready to do the buffet scene on the lawn, and for some reason I got an anxiety attack. I could hardly move. I was terrified. Jack Nicholson

Examples of anxiety attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Signs of psychiatric distress, such as an anxiety attack or hallucinations, could also indicate a psychiatric cause of this symptom. Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 28 Oct. 2024 This strident, 61-second anxiety attack of a song has nearly 400 million plays on Spotify alone. Elias Leight, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2024 Not working through a traumatic experience means stress can manifest psychologically through responses like anxiety attacks, flashbacks, or nightmares. Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 1 July 2024 As the drugs and adrenaline wore off, doctors said, there were night terrors, anxiety attacks, tantrums. Shira Rubin, Washington Post, 15 Jan. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anxiety attack 

Word History

Etymology

probably after German Angstanfall or Angstattacke

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anxiety attack was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near anxiety attack

Cite this Entry

“Anxiety attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiety%20attack. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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