anxious

adjective anx·ious \ ˈaŋ(k)-shəs \

|Updated on: 16 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: anxious in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

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

During a recent pool day, Bliss spotted a young boy feeling anxious about leaping off the diving board, and took action by acting as an example, Fox & Friends reports.

— janine puhak, Fox News, "Veteran, 95, jumps off diving board to motivate scared boy," 12 July 2018
Keep it low-key so your child doesn't feel anxious or overwhelmed and talk to your child about what to expect.

— mary caldwell, ajc, "Parent's survival guide to preschool," 10 July 2018
But European allies are anxious about a potential rerun of what was portrayed as a kick-the-allies-then-fete-an-adversary performance by the American president.

— howard lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, "Backdrop for Putin summit: A pattern of Trump disrespecting allies?," 2 July 2018
Research shows that tai chi participants usually report feeling better, and less anxious, after exercise sessions.

— jan burns, Houston Chronicle, "Tai chi offers many health benefits," 15 June 2018
Millions of Egyptians are anxious to know, and the intense interest isn't restricted to Egypt.

— karel janicek, chicagotribune.com, "Salah on race to be fit in time for Egypt opener against Uruguay," 14 June 2018
Each of these physiological features is subject to change when a person is feeling anxious: Perspiration, heart rate and respiration all increase, while the blood vessels contract, making the skin temperature decrease.

— nathan hurst, Smithsonian, "Can Biomusic Offer Kids With Autism a New Way to Communicate?," 2 Apr. 2018
For his part, Hall has been anxious to get home and back to work.

— rebecca kesten, Fox News, "Battling the despair of opioid addiction in an unexpected place," 1 July 2018
The incidents seem related to an unprecedented drought that’s making the bees anxious.

— jennifer haigh, New York Times, "A Buzzworthy Debut About a Mysterious and Secluded Artists’ Retreat," 29 June 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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