Synonyms of eager

eager

adjective

ˈē-gər 

as in excited

showing urgent desire or interest

Tom was eager to try out his new pair of skis

Synonyms & Similar Words

• excited
• enthusiastic
• avid
• anxious
• keen
• hungry
• ardent
• impatient
• desirous
• pumped
• happy
• enthused
• ready
• interested
• thirsty
• willing
• voracious
• solicitous
• greedy
• antsy
• stoked
• agog
• nuts
• great
• raring
• gung ho
• geeked
• juiced
• crazy
• wild
• engaged
• chomping at the bit
• athirst
• hot
• hepped up
• hopped-up
• champing at the bit
• bonkers
• longing
• gaga
• obsessed
• ambitious
• glad
• restless
• covetous
• craving
• pining
• inclined
• breathless
• restive
• amenable
• hankering
• disposed
• appetent
• game
• hung up
• unreluctant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifferent
• apathetic
• unenthusiastic
• uninterested
• casual
• unconcerned
• disinterested
• nonchalant
• incurious
• reluctant
• aloof
• detached
• unwilling
• insouciant
• hesitant
• uneager
• impassive
• stolid
• loath
• lukewarm
• languid
• halfhearted
• averse
• lackadaisical
• languorous
• disinclined
• spiritless
• loth
• loathe

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

Recent Examples of eager

As a result, even conservative sectors once eager to play Washington’s tune are now more inclined to support the Brazilian government’s strategy of diversifying economic partnerships and reducing dependence on the United States. —Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025

Interlune also found an eager and well-suited partner to make its lunar excavator in Jason Andringa, CEO of Vermeer, a billion-dollar in sales manufacturer of construction, mining and agriculture equipment. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Hope Anne is a smart girl who’s eager to learn, especially if treats and praise are involved. —Trish Stinger, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025

Since its discovery on July 1, 2025, by the Deep Random Survey remote telescope in Chile, part of the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) project, scientists have raced to point telescopes toward the visitor as experts and the public are eager for a closer look. —Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, Space.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Phrases Containing eager

• eager beaver