1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the whole crowd seemed to make an anxious gasp as the home team almost fumbled the ball
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
I'm anxious for my birthday party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxious
For men, comfort with being touched was tied to relationship insecurity—those anxious about their relationships were more likely to seek touch for reassurance, while men uncomfortable with closeness tended to dislike being touched themselves.
—
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The depreciation of any and all values unable to pay a loan shark’s rate of interest transforms the company of gentleman adventurers into a colony of anxious squirrels.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Our hero complies, serenading Suzie (and his anxious friends) with the sweetest rendition of Limahl's synth-pop jam.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Landlords anxious to fill their empty apartments have sweetened incentives to levels unmatched in the past 15 years, with some newer buildings offering up to three months of free rent, according to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025
The depreciation of any and all values unable to pay a loan shark’s rate of interest transforms the company of gentleman adventurers into a colony of anxious squirrels.
—Henry Freedland, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
Our hero complies, serenading Suzie (and his anxious friends) with the sweetest rendition of Limahl's synth-pop jam.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Oct. 2025
Landlords anxious to fill their empty apartments have sweetened incentives to levels unmatched in the past 15 years, with some newer buildings offering up to three months of free rent, according to the Apartment Association of Metro Denver.
—Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
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Tang thought about his other friends who are worried about their aging parents.—
Madeline Mitchell,
USA Today,
26 Oct. 2025
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Too many guys would be too worried about keeping their scholarships, never mind their snaps.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Across its run, The Witcher has traced the uneasy bond between Geralt of Rivia (Liam Hemsworth), the monster hunter bound by destiny; Ciri (Freya Allan), the princess whose power could save or destroy worlds; and Yennefer (Anya Chalotra), the sorceress torn between ambition and love.—
JP Mangalindan,
Time,
30 Oct. 2025
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In the Odyssey, Homer depicts Helen and Menelaus’s reunion as uneasy and sometimes tearful, after years of estrangement.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kaitlyn is excited to one day share the memories of this very celebration with her little girl.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Birchmore, prosecutors said, was excited about becoming a mother and hoped Farwell would be involved in the baby’s life.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The dogs' job on marathon day will be to calm race-day jitters at the starting line, where runners can feel overwhelmed or nervous about the trek ahead.—
Kelli Bender,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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There was a lot of nervous smiling.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So much of what happens in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is disturbing — in particular, the character of Leatherface, the menacing, basement-dwelling killer who eats people and wears their faces after killing them.—
Stephanie Sengwe,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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What makes this even more disturbing is the involvement of teenagers, alcohol, and guns at a large house party.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So many seem eager to be rid of the labors of thought and expression—the very labors that define them as free and autonomous human beings—by ceding them to generative artificial intelligence.—
Elizabeth D. Samet,
Foreign Affairs,
29 Oct. 2025
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Wall Street has been eager to cash in on the technology that some believe could be as foundational as the smartphone or the internet, with AI playing a bigger role in everything from office work to health care and education.—
Lisa Eadicicco,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For example, stress can induce short term issues like upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea, while longer term stress can both cause and contribute to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).—
Sandra Rose Salathe,
Flow Space,
29 Oct. 2025
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And so, unfortunately, people are upset about the comments.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The dramatic incident comes during an already tense period in aviation, with significant delays and staffing shortages due to the government shutdown.—
Cindy Von Quednow,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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Her boyfriend left the party early, and things were tense between them afterward.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 2 Nov. 2025.
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