anxious

adjective anx·ious \ ˈaŋ(k)-shəs \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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.

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anxiously

adverb

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anxiousness

noun

See anxious defined for English-language learners

See anxious defined for kids

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 of anxious from the Web

Studies have shown that people who watch negative news are more likely to be stressed or anxious.

— jeff stibel, USA TODAY, "How I kicked my news addiction," 10 Apr. 2018
On most plays, Manziel looked anxious against the rush.

— steven ruiz, For The Win, "Johnny Manziel failed to show any improvement in first pro game since 2015," 8 Apr. 2018
The funds would be used to better engage youths, who can easily become anxious and frustrated in residential facilities.

— joaquin palomino, San Francisco Chronicle, "Millions sought to stem arrests at California foster care shelters," 5 Apr. 2018
The fact that the editorial has gone viral probably makes many of them anxious and uncomfortable.

— anonymous, Vox, "We’re journalists at a Sinclair news station. We’re pissed.," 5 Apr. 2018
In school, Henry grew increasingly anxious and moody.

— hannah dreier, Daily Intelligencer, "The Betrayal of Triste," 2 Apr. 2018
Hornsey’s initial impression was that many employees seemed anxious and overworked.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "At Uber, a New C.E.O. Shifts Gears," 30 Mar. 2018
And the rats that had the gel applied to their skin were also less anxious and less impulsive, the study says.

— josh magness, kansascity, "Marijuana compound might help keep drug addicts, alcoholics from relapsing, study finds | The Kansas City Star," 24 Mar. 2018
But any relief is balanced by the worry that Trump, inexperienced in diplomacy and anxious for a foreign policy win, will be no match for the surprisingly wily North Koreans.

— barbara demick, latimes.com, "Whatever comes next, North Korea's Kim Jong Un can claim a win against Trump," 10 Mar. 2018

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.

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.

Origin and Etymology of anxious

Latin anxius; akin to Latin angere to strangle, distress — more at anger

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1548

See Words from the same year

anxious Synonyms

Phrases

champing at the bit, chomping at the bit;

Synonym Discussion of 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

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

ANXIOUS Defined for English Language Learners

anxious

adjective

Definition of anxious for English Language Learners

: afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety
: causing or showing fear or nervousness
: wanting or eager to do or have something very much especially because of fear or nervousness