overanxiety

noun

over·​anx·​i·​ety ˌō-vər-aŋ-ˈzī-ə-tē How to pronounce overanxiety (audio)
plural overanxieties
: an excessive amount or degree of anxiety
a nervous musician's overanxiety about their performance
If you begin to feel unwell during an examination, it may be as a result of overanxiety, which can overwhelm a student.Brian Mooney
… one fell overboard in his overanxiety to board the dinghy.The Hamilton (Ontario) Spectator

Word History

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of overanxiety was in 1826

Dictionary Entries Near overanxiety

Cite this Entry

“Overanxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overanxiety. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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