anxious

adjective

anx·ious | \ ˈaŋ(k)-shəs

Definition of anxious

1 : characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency : worried anxious parents

2 : characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety : worrying They spent an anxious night.

3 : ardently or earnestly wishing She was anxious to learn more.

Other Words from anxious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager? More Example Sentences Learn More about anxious

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Choose the Right Synonym for anxious

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint. eager to get started avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed. avid for new thrills keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action. keen on the latest fashions anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment. anxious not to make a social blunder athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action. athirst for adventure

Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

The fact that individual words can have multiple senses that are closely related in meaning is something which many people find objectionable about the English language. Anxious is an example of such a word, as people will use it to mean "worried," "eager (but with an undertone of worry)," and simply "eager."

The word has been used in the sense of "eager" for a considerable length of time, with evidence going back at least to the 17th century.

Examples of anxious in a Sentence

… to the eye anxious for reform in the city and forgetful of conditions in the countryside … — Joseph A. Amato, Dust, 2000 He was exhausted yet exhilarated, anxious … about getting on the ice with a team that had a chance to win. — Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 20 Mar. 2000 The individual states—fearful of losing industry and richer residents to lower-tax rivals and anxious to minimize their burden of needy citizens … — Atlantic, May 1997 He was so anxious to get a fly into the water that he had to reproach himself for haste. — John Cheever, The Wapshot Chronicle, 1957 She feels anxious and depressed. People are anxious about the future. He was anxious that the weather would not improve in time for the party. We experienced a few anxious moments as we waited to hear the results of the test. It was an anxious night as she waited for her children to come home. He was waiting at the door with an anxious expression on his face. He was anxious for more news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Almost immediately, Alejandra Amador, an asylum seeker from Honduras, felt anxious. — Los Angeles Times, "Tent courts open as latest hurdle for migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.," 16 Sep. 2019 Impatient Redskins fans, anxious for Haskins, might hate the sight of Keenum’s No. — Les Carpenter, The Denver Post, "Case Keenum is an unwanted QB who keeps winning jobs. He “wouldn’t have it any other way.”," 5 Sep. 2019 Central banks are anxious, too, and easing policy as a result. — The Economist, "Markets are braced for a global downturn," 17 Aug. 2019 For example, if the trigger for your skin-picking is feeling anxious, your doctor might prescribe an anti-anxiety medication to see if that helps reduce the picking behavior. — Anna Borges, SELF, "Here’s When Hair-Pulling, Skin-Picking, or Nail-Biting Becomes a Disorder," 13 Aug. 2019 Feeling anxious, agitated, or unable to sleep or sleeping all the time. Experiencing significant mood changes. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al.com, "Ex-Madison County sheriff’s deputy who resigned over anti-gay comments hired as Owens Cross Roads officer," 9 July 2019 In high school back in Colorado, Stefan was shy, socially anxious, unsure of herself. — Alia Wong, The Atlantic, "The End of an American College," 18 June 2019 Eric was feeling anxious about the boogeyman — something many in Trump’s orbit might be worried about this week. — Rachel Withers, Vox, "On SNL, Robert De Niro’s “boogeyman” Mueller is scaring Eric Trump," 9 Dec. 2018 There was a dog sleeping in the doorway that did not appear anxious to move. — Thomas Mcguane, The New Yorker, "Wide Spot," 16 Sep. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anxious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.