Synonyms of high-strungnext
: having an extremely nervous or sensitive temperament

Examples of high-strung in a Sentence

a dog that tends to be high-strung is not the best pet for young children
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Things are further complicated when the eldest Stone son, played by Dermot Mulroney, brings his high-strung girlfriend, Meredith (Parker), home to meet the family, and the matriarch later reveals to everyone that her breast cancer has metastasized. Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025 The Family Stone Tension mounts when Everett (Dermot Mulroney) brings his high-strung girlfriend, Meredith (Sarah Jessica Parker), home for Christmas to meet his family, who are fantastically played by the late Diane Keaton, Rachel McAdams and Luke Wilson. Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Dec. 2025 Somewhat more sympathetic are Simone Vivane (Cailee Spaeny), a gifted cellist, sidelined by chronic pain, whose generous donations keep the church running, and Vera Draven (Kerry Washington), a high-strung attorney. Justin Chang, New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2025 Dogs who lack exercise and stimulation can start exhibiting behavioral problems, and this breed, in particular, has a reputation for being high-strung. Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Sep. 2025 Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025 From embattled and high-strung romances to one three-time divorcée, here's a look at her relationship timeline. Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025 Vest has always been high-strung, prone to wearing emotion on his sleeve. Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 July 2025 This was also long before Emily Blunt was a household name, so the sass and high-strung nature of her character felt fresh. Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of high-strung was in 1868

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/high-strung. Accessed 26 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

high-strung

adjective
-ˈstreŋ
: very nervous or sensitive
a dog too high-strung for children

Medical Definition

high-strung

adjective
: having an extremely nervous or sensitive temperament

More from Merriam-Webster on high-strung

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