antsy

adjective

ant·​sy ˈant-sē 

1

informal : restless, fidgety

antsy children

also : impatient, eager

antsy for a new challenge

2

informal : nervous, apprehensive

antsy investors

Synonyms of antsy

• worried
• anxious
• nervous
• upset
• uneasy
• apprehensive
• troubled

Examples of antsy in a Sentence

he was feeling understandably antsy about the tax audit

after a few minutes in the formal restaurant, the kids got antsy

Recent Examples on the Web

And this is when the kidnappers and the people around them can make mistakes, or get antsy. —Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 15 Apr. 2026

After missing nine consecutive games with a right ankle contusion, antsy watching the Lakers’ season nosedive into a new reality, Smart appeared in the final two games of the regular season. —Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 13 Apr. 2026

After the Kid Laroi guest number switched things up a bit about a half-hour in, he was joined by those two guitarists for an approximately 20-minute acoustic set, which really got everyone relaxed (and/or antsy, in the case of those still uneasy at the resistance to oldies). —Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Apr. 2026

The audience started to get a little antsy about an hour later, even attempting to start a chant in the theater to get things going. —Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see ant entry 1

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

antsy

adjective

ant·​sy ˈant-sē 

informal

: restless sense 3, impatient