angst
UK: aŋst | US: ɑːŋst
n. a feeling of deep anxiety, dread, or insecurity, often existential in nature
The word "angst" was borrowed directly from German in the mid-19th century, where it originally meant "fear" or "anxiety." It gained philosophical prominence through the works of Søren Kierkegaard and later existentialist thinkers, who used it to describe a profound, often irrational dread of life's uncertainties. The term retains its Germanic spelling and intensity in English, emphasizing a deeper, more existential form of anxiety than everyday worry.
Teenagers often experience angst about their future.
The novel captures the protagonist’s existential angst.
His music reflects a generation’s collective angst.
She couldn’t shake the lingering angst after the accident.
Philosophers debate whether modern angst stems from societal pressures.