Definition of anxiousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How is the word anxious distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of anxious are athirst, avid, eager, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

When would athirst be a good substitute for anxious?

Although the words athirst and anxious have much in common, athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

How do avid and eager relate to one another, in the sense of anxious?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

When is eager a more appropriate choice than anxious?

The synonyms eager and anxious are sometimes interchangeable, but eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

Where would keen be a reasonable alternative to anxious?

While the synonyms keen and anxious are close in meaning, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of anxious Concerns about affording healthcare in the year ahead were at a record high since tracking began in 2021, signaling that many were feeling anxious about rising healthcare costs as 2025 ended. Ali Swenson, Fortune, 20 June 2026 So tired and anxious and stressed. Anna Spoerre, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026 Concerns about affording healthcare in the year ahead were at a record high since tracking began in 2021, signaling that many were feeling anxious about rising healthcare costs as 2025 ended. ABC News, 18 June 2026 Naim and his overly anxious single mom (Mia Wasikowska) attend rote church services in which the pastor looks to exorcise the LGBTQ+ from sinful boys who like boys and girls who like girls. Randy Myers, Mercury News, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
  • Now, multiple residents are left worried about what's to come next week with extremely hot temperatures in the forecast.
    Heath Kalb, CBS News, 26 June 2026
  • With voters nationwide worried about inflation and the rising cost of living, some Californians might feel less inclined to provide full healthcare coverage to those lacking legal status.
    Christine Mai-Duc, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • As the nation gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, most Americans feel uneasy about their present, and pessimistic about their future, polls show.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • Sanders takes an uneasy step, into his wonderful, painful childhood.
    Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • While the online retailer is serving up some excellent K-beauty deals—up to 40% off markdowns—our beauty editors are most excited about Medicube deals.
    Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 23 June 2026
  • While the Athletics hosted the Angels in Sacramento, their Single-A affiliate minor league team, Stockton Ports, hosted lots of dads who were excited to take their kids, young and grown, out to the ball game.
    Charlie Lapastora, CBS News, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • Oprah selected it for her book club; at her compound in Montecito, Whitehead was so nervous that her staff insisted on blow-drying the damp patches of his dress shirt before they were introduced.
    Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 22 June 2026
  • The low unemployment rate had made many economists nervous, including some on the Fed.
    Barbara Hagenbaugh, USA Today, 22 June 2026
Adjective
  • That normalization may be the most disturbing aspect of all.
    Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Although the project is unlikely to affect Jackson’s popularity much, some of the revelations uncovered during the investigation are disturbing.
    Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026
Adjective
  • Now, the 49‑year‑old turns his attention to an NBA roster headlined by Flagg and a Mavericks team eager to return to championship contention.
    Doug Myers, CBS News, 24 June 2026
  • Some ships, eager to get out of harm’s the war’s way, may have their vessels towed tug their boats out of the strait before they’re cleaned.
    David Goldman, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • Scotland may have lost 0-1 to Morocco in a World Cup match at Boston Stadium on Friday, but the thing the Tartan Army was most upset about?
    Penny Kmitt, CBS News, 20 June 2026
  • Katie Wilson won an upset victory to lead Seattle last fall.
    Matt Brown, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Adjective
  • Total Football’s nearly moment It has largely been forgotten now, but the superb Total Football-playing Dutch team from the 1974 World Cup almost didn’t qualify for the competition — only pipping neighbours Belgium on goal difference following a tense 0-0 draw between the sides.
    Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
  • At a time when the United States has tense relationships with many of its overseas allies, international tourists' appreciation of American culture offers a counterpoint to the animosity between politicians.
    Ava Berger, NPR, 19 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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