fraught with anxiety

USAGE SUMMARY

"fraught with anxiety" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation or event that is filled with a great amount of worry, fear, or uncertainty. It can also be used to describe a person who is experiencing a high level of anxiety. Example: The final exam was fraught with anxiety for the students, as it would determine their entire grade for the semester.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Delivering the marijuana can also be fraught with anxiety.

The New York Times

At times, that journey was fraught with anxiety.

The New York Times

But the transition has also been fraught with anxiety.

The New York Times

Peacetime, however, is as fraught with anxiety, fear and disorientation as wartime.

The Guardian - Books

The process was tactile, deliberate and fraught with anxiety: Will I be caught?

The New York Times

For me, the word daughter was fraught with anxiety, even terror.

The New York Times

It was then, as it is now, a relationship that was fraught with anxiety.

The Guardian

Working with food was fraught with anxiety and desperation when I was a girl.

The New Yorker

The exam is now a familiar rite of passage, fraught with anxiety.

The Guardian - Opinion

"For both people the situation is fraught with anxiety and guilt".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"Drop out your image: white sheet of paper and 'Max Lucado Bible.' " Although Bible sales in America have been robust for the past decade, the business is still fraught with anxieties.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fraught with anxiety" to vividly portray situations or decisions that involve a high degree of stress, uncertainty, and potential negative outcomes. It effectively communicates the emotional weight and challenges associated with the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "fraught with anxiety" in everyday situations where mild nervousness is more appropriate. The phrase is strongest when describing significant and impactful events or decisions. Stick with alternatives like "nervous" or "concerned" for minor situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraught with anxiety" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state or situation characterized by a high degree of worry and unease. Ludwig provides several examples where it describes events, decisions, or periods marked by tension.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fraught with anxiety" is a correct and frequently used phrase to describe situations or events filled with worry and unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and well-understood. Its usage spans various contexts, from news reports to formal documents. While versatile, it's best suited for describing situations with a tangible level of stress rather than trivial instances. Semantically related alternatives include "filled with worry" or "laden with apprehension". This phrase effectively conveys the emotional weight carried by particular circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

filled with worry

Focuses more on the feeling of worry rather than the tense situation causing it.

laden with apprehension

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or anticipation of something negative.

riddled with concern

Highlights the pervasive nature of concern throughout the situation.

teeming with unease

Suggests a subtle but widespread feeling of discomfort and anxiety.

charged with tension

Focuses on the palpable tension and stress associated with anxiety.

beset by fears

Implies being surrounded or attacked by multiple fears.

plagued by worries

Suggests persistent and troublesome worries.

marked by stress

Highlights the presence and impact of stress in a situation.

underlying anxiety

Focuses on the hidden and unnoticeable state of anxiety.

causing considerable worry

Places emphasis on the causing of the anxiety, slightly changing the focus.

FAQs

How can I use "fraught with anxiety" in a sentence?

You can use "fraught with anxiety" to describe situations or decisions filled with stress and uncertainty. For example: "The negotiation was fraught with anxiety due to the high stakes involved."

What are some alternatives to "fraught with anxiety"?

Alternatives include "filled with worry", "laden with apprehension", or "riddled with concern" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say something is "fraught with anxiety", or should I use a different preposition?

"Fraught with anxiety" is the correct and idiomatic usage. The preposition "with" is essential to the phrase's meaning.

What's the difference between "fraught with anxiety" and "stressful"?

"Stressful" describes something that causes stress, while "fraught with anxiety" describes something that is permeated by a feeling of anxiety. "Stressful" is more general, whereas "fraught with anxiety" emphasizes the emotional state.