Definition of nervousnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective nervous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of nervous are energetic, lusty, strenuous, and vigorous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When is energetic a more appropriate choice than nervous?

Although the words energetic and nervous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

When might lusty be a better fit than nervous?

While in some cases nearly identical to nervous, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When is it sensible to use strenuous instead of nervous?

While the synonyms strenuous and nervous are close in meaning, strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

When can vigorous be used instead of nervous?

The meanings of vigorous and nervous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

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 nervous At the same time, many workers are nervous about what AI means for their careers. Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026 But their fraught relationship will decidedly keep you nervous, so score one for multilayered storytelling. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2026 Eve Hewson was already nervous. Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 19 June 2026 Some people get so nervous or very emotional, because staring into someone’s eyes is so intimate. Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nervous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous
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
  • The studio released the official trailer for the film on Thursday, showing Edgar-Jones as the formidable Elinor Dashwood; Esmé Creed-Miles as her excitable sister, Marianne; and Bodhi Rae Breathnach as their youngest sibling, Margaret.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
  • The excitable kids had been instructed several times to give Bryce Young room.
    Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026
Adjective
  • Though fans are anxious to see Andrade return to more events, her job in Rio is done.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • Homeless, his body torn, Odysseus needs to get back to her and Telemachus, his anxious son, and to clean up the mess.
    David Denby, New Yorker, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • American supporters were tense through the second half, in which both teams were tied until the final play, when Türkiye tipped in a buzzer-beating goal to win the match 3-2.
    Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026
  • In Edward Zwick's tense Civil War drama about the first all-Black Army regiment, freedmen and freedom seekers volunteer to prove to white America and themselves that liberty is worth dying for.
    Kevin P. Sullivan, Entertainment Weekly, 26 June 2026
Adjective
  • Katie Wilson won an upset victory to lead Seattle last fall.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 27 June 2026
  • This is an odd thing to be upset about.
    Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 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
  • Beyond that, there’s an easy connection to make as to why The Team, Peterson’s representation group, would be apprehensive about sending him to Utah.
    Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 18 June 2026
  • Even those who are apprehensive about sardines should give this salad a try.
    Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 11 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Nervous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervous. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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