ANXIETY Synonyms: 118 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'anxiety' distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of anxiety are care , concern , solicitude , and worry . While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure. // plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

Q: Where would 'care' be a reasonable alternative to 'anxiety'?

The meanings of care and anxiety largely overlap; however, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension. // a face worn by years of care

Q: When would 'concern' be a good substitute for 'anxiety'?

The words concern and anxiety can be used in similar contexts, but concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection. // crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

Q: When is it sensible to use 'solicitude' instead of 'anxiety'?

The synonyms solicitude and anxiety are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another. // acted with typical maternal solicitude

Q: When might 'worry' be a better fit than 'anxiety'?

The words worry and anxiety are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety. // financial worries

anxiety

noun

aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē

Definition of anxiety next

as in fear

an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble Dorothy's anxiety about her brother's operation kept her awake all night

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in fearfulness

the emotion experienced in the presence or threat of danger the newly discovered virus is creating considerable anxiety in the public at large

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anxiety distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of anxiety are care, concern, solicitude, and worry. While all these words mean "a troubled or engrossed state of mind or the thing that causes this," anxiety stresses anguished uncertainty or fear of misfortune or failure.

plagued by anxiety and self-doubt

Where would care be a reasonable alternative to anxiety?

The meanings of care and anxiety largely overlap; however, care implies oppression of the mind weighed down by responsibility or disquieted by apprehension.

a face worn by years of care

When would concern be a good substitute for anxiety?

The words concern and anxiety can be used in similar contexts, but concern implies a troubled state of mind because of personal interest, relation, or affection.

crimes caused concern in the neighborhood

When is it sensible to use solicitude instead of anxiety?

The synonyms solicitude and anxiety are sometimes interchangeable, but solicitude implies great concern and connotes either thoughtful or hovering attentiveness toward another.

acted with typical maternal solicitude

When might worry be a better fit than anxiety?

The words worry and anxiety are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, worry suggests fretting over matters that may or may not be real cause for anxiety.

financial worries

Examples Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of anxiety Paul by Denis Côté | with Cleaning Simp Paul Canada 2025; world premiere Struggling with depression and social anxiety, Paul has found refuge in serving women who invite him to clean their homes. —

Zac Ntim, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024 More than a quarter of teens reported experiencing anxiety following lockdowns. —

Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 Feelings of bloating, cramping, constipation or nausea often occur because of something someone has eaten, drank or as a result of anxiety or significant amounts of stress. —

Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2024 Phobias are a type of anxiety disorder, so there is some overlap between sleep anxiety and sleep phobia (somniphobia). —

Sherri Gordon, Health, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anxiety

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety

Noun

Read More: How Tech Giants Turned Ukraine Into an AI War Lab Swift’s fears were shared by many of her young fans, who are coming of age in a generation that seems to be bearing the brunt of technology’s harms.

Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Dec. 2024
At the same time, each movement evokes the fear and despair and endurance that defined his experience as a prisoner.

Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 30 Dec. 2024