Which root word is associated with 'fear' or 'worry'?

The root word that is most closely associated with 'fear' or 'worry' is "anxi/o." This root comes from the Latin word "anxius," which translates to anxious or uneasy. In medical terminology, it pertains to conditions characterized by feelings of anxiety and apprehension. This root is commonly used in terms such as "anxiety disorder," which involves excessive fear or worry that affects daily functioning.

On the other hand, "phobi/o" is also related to fear but is specific to irrational or extreme fears of particular objects or situations, such as in "arachnophobia" (fear of spiders). The term "depress/o" relates to mood disorders and does not specifically encompass the broader feelings of fear or worry. Similarly, "stress/o" pertains to the physiological and psychological response to perceived challenges or threats but is not specifically tied to the emotional state of fear or worry. Therefore, "anxi/o" is the most fitting root word relating to feelings of fear or worry.