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

November is only a little over a week away, which means Mariah Carey is probably getting antsy for her annual emergence from her warm-weather cocoon to declare the start of the pop music holiday season. — Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 23 Oct. 2026

At that same Screentime event, anyone reading between the lines might have guessed that Sarandos was getting antsy with Netflix’s current low-growth status. — Matt Donnelly, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026

However, if Winston misfires his way into, say, a two-game losing streak, the coach could get antsy and try to discover in McCarthy what his brother, Jim, found at Michigan. — Doug Haller, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026

Groups of friends are still singing the words to their favorite Soulja Boy songs and parents are strapping their antsy toddlers into strollers. — Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 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