Synonym Chooser

How is the word eager distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eager are anxious, athirst, avid, and keen. While all these words 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

When might anxious be a better fit than eager?

The words anxious and eager can be used in similar contexts, but anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

When can athirst be used instead of eager?

The synonyms athirst and eager are sometimes interchangeable, but athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

How are the words avid and eager related?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

Where would keen be a reasonable alternative to eager?

While in some cases nearly identical to eager, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of eager Eric Vilas-Boas is eager to catch Mamoru Hosoda’s Scarlet. Morgan Baila, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2025 And while European diplomats were for many years eager to court Vučić, even tolerating hedging tactics that saw Serbia expand ties with Russia and China, that changed amid the president’s response to months of protest. Hanna Begić, The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2025 While educators are eager to see raises, the district has countered with 0% pay increases. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 29 Sep. 2025 Customers will be eager to put full looks together from this collection. Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eager
Adjective
  • The underground pop of the 2010s used to get so excited about being online, using shrinky-dink artifice to delight in poking fun at a culture that could feel shallow and strange but also organic and endlessly renewable.
    Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Last year at this time, fans were excited that the 2025 Grammys looked to be a real horse race, with super-divas Beyoncé, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan all destined to compete in the top categories.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Nash-Taylor congratulated her stepdaughter on a beautiful wedding in an enthusiastic tribute to the couple's special day.
    Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025
  • When enthusiastic punters entered the online maze to reach the front of the queue, what would the damage actually be?
    Phil Hay, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Ken is among the most avid ruffed grouse hunters in the state.
    Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Amongst them is a championship poker player, a former COVID crisis nurse, a single father, and a couple of avid concertgoers.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Arizonan's are growing anxious as a deal for the federal government shutdown extends into its fourth day.
    Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Amazon’s October Prime Day is days away, but for anxious shoppers who want to get a head start on saving, there are already plenty of deals to score.
    Shalwah Evans, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • One in particular was slow working, keen nosed, and close ranging.
    Worth Matthewson, Outdoor Life, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Hartwell was not keen on the idea.
    Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eager. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eager

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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