antsy

adjective

ˈant-sē How to pronounce antsy (audio)
Definition of antsynext
1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty he was feeling understandably antsy about the tax audit

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fidgety
making jerky or restless movements after a few minutes in the formal restaurant, the kids got antsy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest she's been antsy to start what promises to be an exciting new job

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 antsy This video might be a good one to play when the kids are getting antsy and need an excuse to get their bodies moving. — Parents, 19 June 2026 Whether bored, antsy, or both, Louis began swaying his hips from side to side and dancing to the music. — Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 11 June 2026 And that’s when Nixon got antsy. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 June 2026 Security was no doubt antsy to call it a night and go home. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for antsy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for antsy
  1. worried
  2. fidgety
  3. excited
  4. anxious
  5. twitchy
  6. avid
  7. nervous
  8. upset
Adjective
  • When Republican lawmakers secured cuts to the United States' largest food assistance program last year, Paige Shoemaker DeMio wasn't worried about children going hungry just at home — but at school.
    — Juliana Kim, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Mattfeld is excellent in what could easily have been a thankless role, playing Ricky with the mien of someone who is always holding it together, years of disappointment and condescension and expectation keeping her eyes worried and jaw tight.
    — Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • While providing strong mid-range performance, its ride can be fidgety, and acceleration doesn't always meet expectations.
    — Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Even Jason notices the guests are fidgety.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 24 Feb. 2026
Definition of fidgety
Adjective
  • On the opposite sideline, Trimble Tech Head Coach MK Hamilton entered the season with a more experienced roster and was excited about the leadership his veteran players bring.
    — Riley Ledesma, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Aug. 2026
  • The Atlanta native is excited to carry his dreams and the family name forward.
    — PJ Green August 28, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • History suggests that anxious allies who are not reassured by their more powerful patron will invest in their own defense.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
  • For me, Sliman was pouring water on a dormant seed anxious to sprout.
    — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • Especially when the protagonists are fighting gangsters, offensive editors, twitchy Vatican librarians, and an oversized Jason Momoa, to claim the hand of Gal Gadot’s two characters, one in the present, one in the past.
    — A.D. Amorosi, SPIN, 6 Aug. 2026
  • However, his ability to mirror in space and react quickly to twitchy pass rushers can be an adventure, which is partly why a transition from tackle to guard makes sense.
    — Dane Brugler, New York Times, 30 July 2026
Definition of twitchy
Adjective
  • And the audience for those games skews young, with more than half of all avid soccer viewers aged 18-to-34, a demographic highly sought by advertisers and one that suggests NBC’s numbers could stay strong for years.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Pretti was an avid mountain biker, and the two had been planning to go biking together once the weather turned warm.
    — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of avid
Adjective
  • The letter writer is almost 40 and nervous about living with a romantic partner for the first time.
    — Shane O’Neill, Washington Post, 3 Sep. 2026
  • That energy spike is reinforcing inflation worries in a bond market already nervous about America’s $40 trillion mountain of debt.
    — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • An upset victory in Alaska for Democrats would be a massive step toward achieving that goal.
    — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Clancy appeared upset during the sidebar but returned to the defense table with a stoic expression.
    — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of upset

Browse Nearby Words

antres
antsy
anxiety
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Cite this Entry

“Antsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/antsy. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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