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

But as the marketing agency's French clients grew antsy and opportunities with Italian companies started falling through the cracks, boss Sylvie (Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu) and coworkers Julien (Samuel Arnold) and Luc (Bruno Gouery) saw the writing on the wall. —Kimi Robinson, USA Today, 5 Jan. 2026

Gardeners can become antsy during the winter when there are fewer opportunities to get their hands in the dirt or put all those tools in the shed to use. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025

On the other hand, parents will be pleased to know that the movie has a run-time of only an hour and 30 minutes, which is the sweet spot for kids who start to get antsy during longer movies. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 19 Dec. 2025

Bored and antsy during Covid lockdown, DiRusso’s bandmate urged her to join TikTok. —Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 19 Dec. 2025

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