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
Typical eldest daughter characteristics include being responsible, independent, empathic, caring, a perfectionist, stressed and anxious, the Cleveland Clinic notes.
—
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
With entry-level tech jobs shrinking as companies prioritize automation, many young people are increasingly anxious about their future job security.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans had plenty of reason to be anxious about their team's injury report on Thursday, especially with questions surrounding quarterback Baker Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, if a child looks anxious or avoids eye contact with a sad character, the AI could gently slow down the story, provide encouraging prompts or reduce the emotional intensity of the scene.
—Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025
With entry-level tech jobs shrinking as companies prioritize automation, many young people are increasingly anxious about their future job security.
—Jordan Blum, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans had plenty of reason to be anxious about their team's injury report on Thursday, especially with questions surrounding quarterback Baker Mayfield.
—Josh Buckhalter, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
For example, if a child looks anxious or avoids eye contact with a sad character, the AI could gently slow down the story, provide encouraging prompts or reduce the emotional intensity of the scene.
—Ekaterina Muravevskaia, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
-
But farmers are worried that time is quickly running out to reach a deal in time to sell any of this year’s crop to their biggest customer.—
Danny Bakst,
Fortune,
5 Oct. 2025
-
The worried mom immediately booked a flight from Virginia to Colorado, which was an agonizing trip.—
Sam Gillette,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Still, when her mom asks if Paul and his kids can come on the birthday trip, the woman feels uneasy.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The loss of data arrived during an uneasy period for policymakers.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Jones is particularly excited about the opportunities for personalization.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
-
But while countless fans couldn’t be more excited for Bad Bunny’s showcase, other people — including the president of the United States — aren’t as keen that a primarily Spanish-speaking artist got the gig.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
If presidents are stars on the stage of world history, vice presidents are nervous understudies hidden away behind the scenes.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The private messages offer a disturbing glimpse into how Jones — who is looking to oust incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares this fall — describes his political adversaries in private conversations.—
Amy DeLaura,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There were masks and body suits made of female skin, along with human skulls for soup bowls and other disturbing oddities.—
Christopher Rudolph,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
To carry out her vision, McMahon has brought on at least 20 political appointees from ultraconservative think tanks and advocacy groups eager to de-emphasize public schools, which have educated students for roughly 200 years.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Following the splashy release of Sora 2, Musk — a founder of OpenAI who left the board in 2018 and has since become a fierce critic of the company and Altman — appeared particularly eager to plug his competitor product.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Gannon was upset after Demercado dropped the football before crossing the goal line on what should have been a 72-yard touchdown that would have put Arizona up 28-6 early in the fourth quarter.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Those numbers might flip if Mizzou springs the home upset.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Just as demented and tense, but drunk on the confidence of youth and the arrogance to believe that talent and charm is enough.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
-
California’s 'sanctuary' policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration agencies, further complicate enforcement efforts, creating a tense and often publicized standoff between federal officers and local communities.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share