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separation anxiety
noun
: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings
Examples of separation anxiety in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary moved out, and the dog is having separation anxiety.
—Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 19 Dec. 2024
However, dogs left in there for too long may experience separation anxiety.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
She was diagnosed with separation anxiety and selective mutism.
—Claire Cain Miller, New York Times, 1 July 2024
Some offices might provide dogs the benefit of offsetting separation anxiety or boredom—and may even provide healthy social stimulation and socialization.
—Jessica Pierce, TIME, 15 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1943, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of separation anxiety was
in 1943
Dictionary Entries Near separation anxiety
Cite this Entry
“Separation anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation%20anxiety. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
separation anxiety
noun
: a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence
More from Merriam-Webster on separation anxiety
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about separation anxiety
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