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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

Example 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 Wilson first remembers experiencing anxiety as early as 5 or 6 years old. Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 May 2025 Get help The Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline is open to anyone who is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression. Michael Johnson, Twin Cities, 16 May 2025 The prospect of the DeSantis administration wresting more control over the HBCU plays into longstanding anxieties that the state could cut into some of the university’s signature programs — or even merge the school with FSU, an idea lawmakers contemplated in the 1960s. Kate Payne, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 May 2025 Sewing anxiety and confusion are usually first steps from Trump ahead of negotiation. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 5 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for anxiety
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiety
Noun
  • The Albanian people deserve free elections, not another manipulated outcome enforced through fear and political imprisonment.
    Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 10 May 2025
  • Krystal Sieben took her children to a horse ranch and watched as her 8-year-old son with autism, racked with fear, was on the verge of tears.
    Talia McWright, Twin Cities, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Another request that was also denied spelled out similar worries.
    Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
  • But that worry has gone into overdrive upon learning that Carlos’ body was found in the Truckee River.
    Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • Heck, even fear of long lines at bars and clubs have been downgraded from panic to the typical annoyance.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 17 May 2025
  • In 2019, staff at a facility in Phoenix called 911 in a panic after a patient—who was reportedly vegetative but may have been minimally conscious—unexpectedly gave birth.
    Sarah Zhang, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Got thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, compliments or maybe even some recs for me?
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 17 May 2025
  • Amid the turbulence of campus protests over Israel’s war in Gaza, President Carol Folt canceled the main ceremony over safety concerns, along with the speech of valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who had expressed pro-Palestinian views.
    Daniel Miller, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2025
Noun
  • Boom!, the semi-autobiographical musical from Rent creator Jonathan Larson, as a hungry young composer racing toward his 30th birthday with more than a note of dread.
    Sara Netzley, EW.com, 7 May 2025
  • Developing Greater Self-Awareness Identifying behavioral signs of anxiety — such as physical restlessness, changes in eating habits or a sense of dread — may provide useful insights.
    Diane Winiarski, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Noun
  • The concept has sparked controversy, unease, amazement and confusion.
    Elizabeth Weise, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • What does this say about our current unease with the political system?
    Michael Schneider, Variety, 16 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiety. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

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