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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
Free Will Animal Training Location: In-home Free Will Animal Training specializes in leash reactivity, aggression and separation anxiety.
—Alexandra Maloney, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2024
Prozac prescriptions for dogs are on the rise, veterinarians across the country acknowledge, along with a myriad of cheaper generic mood stabilizers sold for humans but applied to pets’ separation anxiety, socialization fears, biting habits, or other problematic behavior.
—Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 5 Apr. 2024
At her sentencing Monday, forensic pathologist Elizabeth Mooney told a Cleveland courtroom that children experience the most extreme separation anxiety between nine and 18 months.
—Faith Karimi, CNN, 20 Mar. 2024
Treats are a great option for helping with anxiety issues like separation anxiety.
—Carol Lee, Discover Magazine, 6 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for separation anxiety
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'separation anxiety.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 4 Jul. 2024.
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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