1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
he was nervous about how he would do at the varsity basketball tryouts
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a nervous silence filled the room as the teacher handed out the graded exams
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
a nervous sort of person, she's completely thrown by anything unexpected
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervous
Duncan is nervous because his new biography is about Margaret Thatcher and he’s never written about a woman as his primary subject before; Carrie is nervous about diving into historical fiction.
—
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Democrats have already recoiled at the anti-Muslim attacks he’s faced since Tuesday, and the nervous backroom meetings of wealthy people who want to stop him.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
As New York closed in on Tuesday's vote, more investors got nervous as the polls showed Mamdani was leading.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 June 2025
These new areas of focus are already making some who study vaccines nervous about the future direction of ACIP.
—Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous
Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Democrats have already recoiled at the anti-Muslim attacks he’s faced since Tuesday, and the nervous backroom meetings of wealthy people who want to stop him.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 27 June 2025
As New York closed in on Tuesday's vote, more investors got nervous as the polls showed Mamdani was leading.
—Jason Gewirtz, CNBC, 26 June 2025
These new areas of focus are already making some who study vaccines nervous about the future direction of ACIP.
—Will Stone, NPR, 25 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous
Adjective
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As Republicans work to pass President Donald Trump's reconciliation bill by his July 4 deadline, many are worried about the changes that could be coming to Medicaid.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
30 June 2025
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But even in a Congress filled with newcomers, the memory of 2018 (and its electoral fallout for a beleaguered GOP) should be fresh enough to keep people worried.—
Joseph Thorndike,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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Contreras, the excitable ex-Cub, took exception and barked at Palencia.—
Patrick Mooney,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
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Audiences at Berlin shows have tended toward enthusiastic influencers, brand fans and excitable fashion students.—
Cathrin Schaer,
Footwear News,
6 July 2025
Adjective
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But perhaps the most persuasive testimony came from Mrs. Hall herself, who embodied the defense’s portrait of a loyal, unsuspecting wife, home alone and anxious over her husband’s mysterious disappearance.—
Jordan Runtagh,
People.com,
27 June 2025
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Other dogs, especially those that are anxious or suffer from separation anxiety, might find comfort in your scent.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Negotiations on this year’s New York City government budget are coming down to the wire — with several sticking points remaining as talks turned tense Thursday between City Council Democrats and Mayor Adams’ administration, according to sources familiar with the matter.—
Chris Sommerfeldt,
New York Daily News,
26 June 2025
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At the core of Athens’ defense spending motivations is its tense and fractious relationship with fellow NATO ally Turkey.—
Sophie Kiderlin,
CNBC,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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What changed at Sharon Place and why are owners upset? Sharon Place, which includes over 70 condos, has always had a pet weight limit written into its governing documents, Emehel said.—
Nora O’Neill
July 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 July 2025
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With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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Even then, the fact that the package contained a bloody tracksuit is still disturbing and likely to create psychological trauma for the daughter.—
Jim Halterman,
Variety,
1 July 2025
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In demand filmmaker Kim Tae-joon, who wrote and directed the disturbing tech thriller Unlocked for the streamer, is back with another feature that is sure to linger with its audience.—
Abid Rahman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Some were apprehensive about living far from their longtime partner in crime.—
Philip Marcelo,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2025
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Many in the village are excited for the apprehensive Spike, as this is a rite of passage, but Jamie is reminded by a woman at the gate on their way out that 14 or 15 is the typical age for this experience.—
Mark Meszoros,
Boston Herald,
19 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervous. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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