high anxiety

USAGE SUMMARY

"high anxiety" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a feeling of intense worry or uneasy apprehension, though it can also be used more generally to describe a state of heightened emotions (positive or negative). Example: With the job interview looming, she felt a wave of high anxiety wash over her.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

High anxiety.

The New York Times

"It was high anxiety".

The New York Times

High anxiety ensued.

The New York Times

There's high anxiety".

The New York Times

"It was high anxiety," Mr. Greenberg said.

The New York Times

High anxiety over a mechanic?

The New York Times - Travel

"You know that movie 'High Anxiety'?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

§Range 20 (high anxiety -80.

British Medical Journal

"Usually, high-anxiety parents have high-anxiety kids," said Dr. Shu-Ming Wang, anesthesiologistist at the Yale School of Medicine.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Erickson said he finds the rewards outweigh the high-anxiety nights.

The New York Times - Food

It gives nothing but a high-anxiety, stressful position for a commander to be put in.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "high anxiety" to clearly and concisely describe a state of intense worry or unease. It's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, as shown in the examples from news and scientific sources.

Common error

Be mindful of the context when using "high anxiety". Overusing it for minor inconveniences can dilute its impact and may trivialize the experiences of those facing genuine distress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "high anxiety" primarily functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "high" modifies the noun "anxiety", indicating a significant level or degree of anxiousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, this combination is standard English and suitable for use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "high anxiety" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to describe a state of significant worry or unease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for diverse contexts, from news reporting to scientific writing. While it's essential to use it accurately and avoid exaggeration, it serves as a clear and concise way to convey strong feelings of apprehension. The phrase is most prevalent in news and media and science, indicating its relevance in discussing both personal and broader societal concerns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intense anxiety

Uses "intense" as a synonym for "high" to describe the level of anxiety.

extreme worry

Replaces "anxiety" with "worry" and "high" with "extreme", focusing on the feeling of concern.

heightened stress

Substitutes "anxiety" with "stress", indicating a physiological or emotional strain.

considerable unease

Emphasizes the discomfort and lack of peace associated with anxiety.

acute apprehension

Focuses on the feeling of dread or anticipation of negative events.

severe nervousness

Highlights the state of being agitated or jumpy due to anxiety.

intense trepidation

Indicates a strong feeling of fear or worry about something that is going to happen.

pronounced disquiet

Emphasizes the lack of tranquility and inner peace.

significant distress

Focuses on the emotional suffering caused by anxiety.

overwhelming pressure

Shifts the focus to the feeling of being burdened by demands and expectations, which can lead to anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "high anxiety" in a sentence?

You can use "high anxiety" to describe a state of intense worry or unease. For example: "The upcoming exam filled her with "high anxiety"". Or: "There was "high anxiety" surrounding the election results".

What are some synonyms for "high anxiety"?

Alternatives to "high anxiety" include phrases like "intense anxiety", "extreme worry", or "heightened stress". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "high anxiety" in formal writing?

Yes, "high anxiety" is appropriate for formal writing. As evidenced by its use in news reports and scientific publications, it is a clear and professional way to describe significant levels of unease or concern.

What causes "high anxiety"?

Many things can lead to "high anxiety", including stressful events, uncertainty about the future, or even anticipation of major life changes. The intensity and causes vary greatly from person to person.