separation anxiety

noun

: a form of anxiety experienced by a young child and caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings

Examples of separation anxiety 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.
This often translates to the chance of separation anxiety lessening. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 May 2025 Another factor is how preschool has been shown to help children better cope with separation anxiety from mom or dad. Daryl Austin, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 At the heart of this guilt is often separation anxiety — a reality shaped by the travel demands of playing in the WNBA. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025 However, sometimes this behavior can lead to separation anxiety. Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for separation anxiety

Word History

First Known Use

1943, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of separation anxiety was in 1943

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Separation anxiety.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/separation%20anxiety. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Medical Definition

separation anxiety

noun
: a form of anxiety that is caused by separation from a significant nurturant figure and typically a parent or from familiar surroundings and that has an onset during childhood or sometimes adolescence

More from Merriam-Webster on separation anxiety

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!