Synonyms of high-strung
: having an extremely nervous or sensitive temperament

Examples of high-strung in a Sentence

a dog that tends to be high-strung is not the best pet for young children
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.
The film follows Summer (McGraw), a high-strung teenager whose birthday getaway takes an unexpected turn when her free-spirited mom's new boyfriend joins the trip, who also happens to be her vice principal. Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 16 June 2026 Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince. Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 9 June 2026 Who's ever going to complain about spending more time with high-strung Monica, nerdy Ross, emotional Rachel, spacey Phoebe, handsome Joey, or quip-ready Chandler? Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 8 June 2026 Played with blistering sarcasm by Emily Blunt, the high-strung Runway magazine assistant had many of the most crackling one-liners in the original 2006 film. Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026 In episode three, that perfect fit is Benito Skinner, who plays a high-strung costume designer named Carter who wears Valerie down with a visual and spiritual assault on caftans on the set of her new sitcom. Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026 The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman. Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026 The scheme shocks their high-strung son Harold (Roberts), whose wife, Neha (Gill), is a local police officer. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026 The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-strung was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-strung. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

high-strung

adjective
-ˈstreŋ
: very nervous or sensitive
a dog too high-strung for children

Medical Definition

high-strung

adjective
: having an extremely nervous or sensitive temperament

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