Anxiety-Related Vocabulary

adjective relating to or characterized by anticipation; serving to anticipate

• The anticipatory anxiety before the exam was palpable among the students.
• I couldn't sleep last night because of all the anticipatory excitement for the trip tomorrow.
• I'm feeling hella anticipatory about the concert tonight!
• The anticipatory thrill of starting a new chapter in life is like a rollercoaster ride.

adjective feeling or showing fear or anxiety about the future

• The investors were apprehensive about the new business proposal.
• I'm feeling a bit apprehensive about the job interview tomorrow.
• She was apprehensive about meeting her boyfriend's parents for the first time.
• The dark clouds looming overhead made her feel apprehensive about the impending storm.

adjective feeling or expressing distress or irritation

• The fretful mother paced back and forth in the waiting room, anxious for news about her son's surgery.
• She's been acting so fretful lately, I think she's worried about her upcoming exams.
• Why are you so fretful about the party? Just relax and enjoy yourself.
• The storm clouds gathered in the sky, casting a fretful shadow over the town.

adjective feeling or showing extreme nervousness or unease

• The speaker appeared jittery as they prepared to address the large audience.
• I always get jittery before a big presentation.
• She was feeling super jittery before the job interview.
• The stock market was jittery after the unexpected news.

adjective describing someone or something that is nervous or easily startled

• The jumpy horse refused to calm down during the competition.
• Why are you so jumpy today? Did something happen?
• She's always been a bit jumpy, like a cat on a hot tin roof.
• The suspenseful movie had me feeling jumpy throughout the entire film.

noun a person who is easily agitated or anxious

adjective describes a person or feeling showing anxiety or unease

• She felt nervous before giving her presentation to the board of directors.
• I always get nervous before a job interview.
• I was so nervous about the test, I thought I was going to barf.
• The dark clouds looming overhead made her nervous about the impending storm.

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun, in this case 'overanxious' describes a state of being excessively anxious

• The overanxious student was constantly worried about their grades.
• My mom gets overanxious every time I'm out late with friends.
• Don't be so overanxious, everything will work out in the end.
• His overanxious behavior was like a dark cloud hanging over the group.

adjective easily scared or nervous; jumpy

• The skittish horse refused to approach the unfamiliar object.
• My cat is so skittish, she always runs away from strangers.
• I don't know why you're so skittish about trying new food, just give it a shot!
• The stock market investors became skittish after hearing news of a potential economic downturn.

adjective feeling or showing concern or anxiety about what may happen

• She was worried about the potential impact of the new policy on the company's bottom line.
• I'm worried that I won't be able to finish my homework in time.
• Don't be worried about what they think, just do you.
• The dark clouds gathered overhead, like worried thoughts crowding her mind.

adjective causing or characterized by worry or anxiety

• The worrisome trend of declining sales is a cause for concern for the company.
• I find it worrisome that she still hasn't replied to my message.
• It's pretty worrisome that he keeps ghosting you like that.
• The dark clouds gathering on the horizon were a worrisome sign of an impending storm.

noun a state of anxiety and uncertainty about actual or potential problems

verb to feel anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems

• I understand your worry regarding the upcoming merger.
• Don't worry, everything will be fine.
• Stop worrying, it's all good.
• Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you nowhere.

noun a person who is excessively or chronically anxious or uneasy

adjective describing someone who is anxious or uneasy

• The nervous Nellie in the group always double checks everything before making a decision.
• Don't be such a nervous Nellie, everything will be fine.
• She's such a nervous Nellie, always worrying about every little thing.
• Being a nervous Nellie won't help you in this situation, you need to stay calm and focused.

noun an irrational fear of taking medication or drugs

• Pharmacophobia is a term used to describe the fear of taking medication.
• Some people have pharmacophobia and refuse to take any kind of pills.
• I totally get your pharmacophobia, but sometimes you just have to trust the doctor.
• Her pharmacophobia towards change was evident in her resistance to trying new treatments.

noun an extreme or irrational fear of becoming bald

• Phalacrophobia is a rare condition characterized by an intense fear of becoming bald.
• I heard that John has phalacrophobia and is always worried about losing his hair.
• Some people with phalacrophobia are known to be hat addicts.
• Her phalacrophobia extended beyond hair loss to a fear of losing control in any aspect of her life.

noun a person who is anxious or apprehensive about something

preposition expressing the reason for one's anxiety or apprehension

• She was feeling nervous for her upcoming presentation in front of the board of directors.
• I'm really nervous for my driving test tomorrow.
• I'm so nervous for the big game this weekend.
• He was nervous for his friend who was about to propose to his girlfriend.

noun a person who is very anxious or nervous

preposition used before a noun to indicate quantity or amount

• Before giving the presentation, she was a bag of nerves, constantly fidgeting and checking her notes.
• I always get like a bundle of nerves before a big exam, it's hard to stay calm.
• She's always a bag of nerves before a job interview, she needs to relax.
• As the deadline approached, he felt like a bundle of nerves, unsure if he would finish on time.