noun
anxiety
ang-ZYE-uh-tee/æŋˈzaɪəti/
Uneasy apprehension about possible harm.
The woman waits by the closed door, clasping her hands in anxiety.
Etymology
Latin anxietas named mental unease; its related adjective anxius comes from angere, “to choke, squeeze,” also used figuratively for tormenting. This connects worry with the image of painful constriction.
In context
say to someone you have severe anxiety and more often than not the response will go something like this why are you anxious what have you got to worry about
More examples
- The move stirred up old anxieties.
- He spoke openly about his anxiety over losing work.
- Their anxiety to help sometimes led them to interfere.
Forms
anxiety · anxieties
Similar words
- worry
- A common term that may focus on a particular concern.
- dread
- Suggests stronger fear of something expected to happen.