as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
don't be overcome with anxiousness about things that may never happen
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Recent Examples of anxiousness
There are signs to look for in potential abusive relationships, like isolation from friends and family, controlling behaviors and anxiousness.
—
Bryant Reed, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the roller-coaster experience added anxiousness to a landscape for Chinese students that already includes language and cultural barriers and a tight job market.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The anxiousness over the situation also stems from the way that Skydance’s purchase of Paramount Global went down last year.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
There is also a lot of anxiousness going on in my mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Even so, Teller’s chatty anxiousness does contrast well with Turner’s smoldering, confident melancholy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
It’s believed that some of her injuries were caused by the dog’s anxiousness, leading her to panic while in her crate.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Bryant Reed, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
But the roller-coaster experience added anxiousness to a landscape for Chinese students that already includes language and cultural barriers and a tight job market.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
The anxiousness over the situation also stems from the way that Skydance’s purchase of Paramount Global went down last year.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026
Once viewed as mere support cells for neurons, astrocytes are now thought to help tune brain circuits and thereby control overall brain state or mood — say, our level of alertness, anxiousness, or apathy.
—Ingrid Wickelgren, Quanta Magazine, 30 Jan. 2026
There is also a lot of anxiousness going on in my mind.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
That polling shows that, look, voters have a bit of wince or anxiousness about older candidates.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 10 Dec. 2025
Even so, Teller’s chatty anxiousness does contrast well with Turner’s smoldering, confident melancholy.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2025
It’s believed that some of her injuries were caused by the dog’s anxiousness, leading her to panic while in her crate.
—Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxiousness
Noun
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Incoming college freshmen are easy targets for people looking to profit from anxiety about loneliness, which the former US Surgeon General called an epidemic.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
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Maygen says Paisley has struggled with anxiety ever since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 2 years old.—
Nicki Cox,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Future Hall of Fame QBs are built to block out fear and bury doubt.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
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Mercury in your 2nd House of Values keeps practical concerns active.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prices surged overnight on worries that the war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
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Wall Street’s strength followed manic swings in the oil market, where prices surged overnight on worries that the Iran war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In the messages read out in court, the gang leader’s growing unease with the technology is apparent.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The speed of the map’s passage — and the circumstances surrounding it — have fueled outrage among Democrats and even unease within some Republican circles.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anxiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxiousness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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