anxiety disorder

noun

: any of various disorders (such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder) in which anxiety is a predominant feature

called also anxiety neurosis, anxiety state

Examples of anxiety disorder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The calming action of the vagus nerve is the biological basis for new therapies that aim to stimulate the nerve to quell seizures, relieve anxiety disorders, cool the body’s inflammatory response, and staunch a migraine attack, among a long list of potential treatments. R Douglas Fields, WIRED, 29 Sep. 2024 Multiple studies have found that sleep problems are much more common among individuals with anxiety disorders. Daisy Jones, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2024 While each type of anxiety disorder has unique characteristics, each causes persistent, excessive fear or worry in nonthreatening situations. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2024 Social anxiety disorder is one of the five main types of anxiety disorders. Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anxiety disorder 

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anxiety disorder was in 1970

Dictionary Entries Near anxiety disorder

Cite this Entry

“Anxiety disorder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiety%20disorder. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

anxiety disorder

noun
: any of various disorders (as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, a phobia, or generalized anxiety disorder) in which anxiety is a predominant feature

called also anxiety neurosis, anxiety state

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!