What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
neuroticism
Example
Her neuroticism made it difficult for her to handle criticism. [neuroticism: noun]
Example
He scored high on the neuroticism scale, indicating a tendency towards anxiety and depression. [neuroticism: noun]
anxiety
Example
She felt a sense of anxiety before her job interview. [anxiety: noun]
Example
He suffers from anxiety disorder, which makes it difficult for him to function in social situations. [anxiety: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anxiety is more commonly used than neuroticism in everyday language. Anxiety is a common emotion experienced by many people, while neuroticism is a technical term used mainly in psychology and personality research.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between neuroticism and anxiety?
Neuroticism is a technical term used mainly in academic and research contexts, while anxiety is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.