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
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 anxious
European officials anxious as Trump suggests 'territory swap' with Russia
MAJOR HEADLINES
BOLD ACTION – Pete Hegseth addresses criticism of Trump's 'Liberation Day' actions to fight crime.
—
FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Anxiety: Feeling anxious can cause tremors that may affect the whole body or part of the body.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025
But Holmes gained backup experience last year and newcomers like Max Bewley, Jonah Martinez and AJ Hooker are anxious to get to work.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Looking back at his time on SNL, Hader also marveled at how Meyers and fellow alum Amy Poehler didn’t seem too anxious.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
FOXNews.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Anxiety: Feeling anxious can cause tremors that may affect the whole body or part of the body.
—Heidi Moawad, Verywell Health, 11 Aug. 2025
But Holmes gained backup experience last year and newcomers like Max Bewley, Jonah Martinez and AJ Hooker are anxious to get to work.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2025
Looking back at his time on SNL, Hader also marveled at how Meyers and fellow alum Amy Poehler didn’t seem too anxious.
—Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
-
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, however, didn’t necessarily appear worried when asked what joint practices taught him about his cornerbacks.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
17 Aug. 2025
-
Many were worried about stripping precipitation out of a cloud and robbing people downstream of rain.—
Hayleigh Evans,
AZCentral.com,
17 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The United States and China have settled into a steady state of pragmatic, if uneasy, détente.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Reading Zeller’s book, I was reminded that there is a kind of uneasy fellowship in this condition—a vast, involuntary community of people mapping out their lives between attacks, haunted by uncertainty but sustained in part by accounts like his.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
While brands are mostly irrelevant at Low Timers, there are a few heritage names in workwear that get collectors excited.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Bobby and Connie’s first steps into official coupledom, however, puts a satisfying capper on their reunion arc this season, and leaves me very excited for where these two go next.—
Genevieve Koski,
Vulture,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But as Trump appears to ignore court decisions and high-level administration officials are suggesting suspending the writ of habeas corpus, Bolick is nervous the United States is heading toward authoritarianism.—
Amanda Luberto,
AZCentral.com,
13 Aug. 2025
-
Students, meanwhile, often get nervous about asking for clarification or diving deeper into a topic in front of their peers.—
Shelbie Witte,
The Conversation,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Her dad, Taylor finds her art to be disturbing, but nonetheless harmless.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
6 Aug. 2025
-
As a mother of two boys in public schools and the product of public schools myself, this news was disturbing to say the least.—
Andrea Campbell,
Time,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
It’s created a new market opportunity for brands eager to peddle protein-forward products to this growing demographic.—
Boutayna Chokrane,
Wired News,
6 Aug. 2025
-
After the first four episodes of the show’s new installment were released on Wednesday, Aug. 6, fans were eager to see the singer, 39, in her guest starring role.—
Liza Esquibias,
People.com,
6 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Umpires must already see pitches accurately, move well and handle upset managers and players.—
Becky Sullivan,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
-
All three have gone after one another while 71-year-old conservative activist and talk show host Curtis Sliwa aims for a major upset for Republicans.—
Nick Mordowanec,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Take the tense scene inside a packed auditorium in Lincoln, Nebraska, recently, where Republican Rep. Mike Flood faced hundreds of constituents during an August 4 town hall.—
Saige Miller,
NPR,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Following tense campus protests and intense scrutiny from the federal government, Columbia University will start considering a civil-discourse credential as part of its undergraduate admissions process.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share