1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
I'm anxious for my birthday party
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxious
Many are now returning to the facility with anxious hearts, desperate to do the right thing but haunted by what happened.
—
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Why are experts and currency traders anxious about India?
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Agitated, anxious honeybees, on the other hand, responded with pessimism when researchers shook them to simulate a predatory attack.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
Now, weeks into the new school year, the state budget hasn't yet been settled, creating an anxious waiting game for school leaders and plenty of speculation over a potential state government shutdown.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
Why are experts and currency traders anxious about India?
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 26 Sep. 2025
Agitated, anxious honeybees, on the other hand, responded with pessimism when researchers shook them to simulate a predatory attack.
—Big Think, 25 Sep. 2025
Now, weeks into the new school year, the state budget hasn't yet been settled, creating an anxious waiting game for school leaders and plenty of speculation over a potential state government shutdown.
—Lily Altavena, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
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The man, a legal researcher who lives legally in the United States, is worried he might be targeted by the federal government for speaking freely.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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As the day progressed though, Marsh became worried again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
All that should have spelled relief to H-1B workers and their corporate sponsors, but Xiao Wang, chief executive of the immigration services firm Boundless Immigration, said the lack of detail left many unanswered questions – and his clients uneasy.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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If uneasy, history may provide equal insights with economics.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
21 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
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But there will be a lot of nervous folks in New England hoping Bregman's stay in Boston extends past the one-year mark.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
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Others were forced into the car, nervous at the prospect of 48 phone-free hours filled with talk about feelings.—
Rachel Hale,
USA Today,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
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The attack adds to a disturbing pattern of violence targeting religious communities across the United States, including the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 17 others.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This isn’t necessarily surprising, given that the last four episodes of the season were released September 3, meaning most eager audiences are likely to have caught up by now.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
30 Sep. 2025
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Henry’s blend of swoony love and spicy romance with compelling characters has rocketed her to the top of the bestseller lists, and fans are eager to see how that might translate to film success.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Dart wasn’t the only Giants rookie to have a substantial impact in the upset victory.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Nudge your kids to make decisions for themselves, even when other people are upset.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Following the San Francisco 49ers' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, there was a tense moment caught on camera where 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen argued with one another.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Pio’s first goal for Inter turned a tense 1-0 lead into a welcome 2-0 win.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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