Synonym Chooser

How is the word eager distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eager are anxious, athirst, avid, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When might anxious be a better fit than eager?

The words anxious and eager can be used in similar contexts, but anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

When can athirst be used instead of eager?

The synonyms athirst and eager are sometimes interchangeable, but athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

How are the words avid and eager related?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

Where would keen be a reasonable alternative to eager?

While in some cases nearly identical to eager, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

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 eager With many great matchups lined up to take place, like a Super Bowl rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, fans are eager for the official schedule to drop. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 May 2025 In a world where leaders seem eager to bend the knee to Trump’s every impulse, even the truly ridiculous seems plausible. Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 14 May 2025 Heather, a preschool teacher, and Dominic, a local union worker, aren’t typically eager to head home from their annual camping trip in Fremont, Wisc. Sean Neumann, People.com, 14 May 2025 Yet in person, Francis, who wields those shoulders lightly, is boyish, candid, eager, almost unable to believe his good fortune. Ariel Fisher, New York Times, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for eager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eager
Adjective
  • While fans are excited for their own team's schedule, every NFL game, especially prime-time ones, is a must-see.
    Ricardo Klein, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
  • The nerves turned into excited butterflies as my wave kicked off.
    Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025
Adjective
  • The smoke travels up almost 100 feet of steel and copper tubes to the chimney and the world beyond. 21h ago / 1:45 AM PDT Share Panini, water and a telescopic folding stool: how to survive the conclave Alexander Smith Reporting from Vatican City For the avid smokewatcher, preparation is key.
    Katie Primm, NBC news, 9 May 2025
  • Residents who live near a fishing location, spend a lot of time near the water or are avid boaters are encouraged to get involved.
    Joe Rassel, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2019, Joker received an enthusiastic eight-minute reception in Venice.
    Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 13 May 2025
  • The show gets really enthusiastic and vocal reactions from the crowds — mid-act standing ovations and cheers.
    Seija Rankin, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • This productivity decline stems from several factors: Workplace morale deteriorates Remaining employees absorb additional responsibilities Teams become anxious about future job security When employees question whether their leaders truly value them, their enthusiasm and dedication suffer.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 11 May 2025
  • Nobel laureates, such as MIT’s Daron Acemoglu, are worried about its capacity to worsen income inequalities, and ordinary American workers are anxious about AI’s impact on jobs.
    Bhaskar Chakravorti, Harvard Business Review, 8 May 2025
Adjective
  • With distrust running high, both sides have been keen not to appear weak, and economic analysts had low expectations of a breakthrough.
    Emma Farge, USA Today, 12 May 2025
  • Afterward, the friend wanted to return to the hotel to rest again, but the OP was keen to keep exploring.
    Erin Clack, People.com, 11 May 2025

Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eager. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eager

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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