anxiety attack

noun

plural anxiety attacks
: a sudden feeling or episode of anxiety
specifically : an episode of mild to severe worry, distress, or fear that may last for hours or days, is typically preceded by a period of gradually increasing levels of fear and worry (such as that associated with a perceived stressor or threat), and that has symptoms (such as increased heart rate and shortness of breath) similar to but often less intense than those associated with a panic attack
… the odds of coming across someone in college having an anxiety attack are fairly high. Alisa Patience
The mention of any political figure in the vicinity of my dining room table is enough to induce an anxiety attack. Anna Little
I remember getting ready to do the buffet scene on the lawn, and for some reason I got an anxiety attack. I could hardly move. I was terrified. Jack Nicholson

Examples of anxiety attack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
An inability to immediately locate one’s smartphone can trigger severe anxiety attacks clinically referred to as ‘nomophobia’ (no-mobile-phone phobia). Mark Settle, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025 During the two-hour season premiere, which aired on Wednesday, Jan. 8, Wieber experienced a anxiety attack and struggled to catch her breath during one intense exercise before gathering her composure and continuing in the competition. Sean Neumann, People.com, 9 Jan. 2025 Comes on Suddenly Shortness of breath that suddenly occurs could be linked to an anxiety attack. Sarah Bence, Verywell Health, 24 Jan. 2025 As a result, the veteran felt embarrassed and suffered an anxiety attack in the waiting room, prompting the service dog to act in line with her training, prosecutors said. Natalie Demaree, Miami Herald, 22 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for anxiety attack 

Word History

Etymology

probably after German Angstanfall or Angstattacke

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anxiety attack was in 1911

Dictionary Entries Near anxiety attack

Cite this Entry

“Anxiety attack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anxiety%20attack. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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