Synonyms of eager

eager 1 of 2

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
• averse
• halfhearted
• lackadaisical
• languorous
• disinclined
• spiritless

eagerness

2 of 2

noun

as in enthusiasm

urgent desire or interest

students with an eagerness to learn

Synonyms & Similar Words

• enthusiasm
• thirst
• excitement
• appetite
• impatience
• hunger
• desirousness
• keenness
• ardor
• avidity
• lust
• passion
• ambition
• zeal
• willingness
• avidness
• alacrity
• readiness
• quickness
• zest
• gusto
• warmth
• fervency
• amenability
• appetence
• appetency

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• indifference
• apathy
• unconcern
• nonchalance
• insouciance
• casualness
• detachment
• aloofness
• languor
• impassivity
• lukewarmness
• languidness
• halfheartedness

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

Adjective

And though fans are eager to see their favorite characters on screen, many are discouraged by the teaser's new animation style. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 16 June 2026

The salary cap is increasing to $104 million, and several big-market teams with money to spend and holes to fill are eager to get better. —Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026

Noun

The other candidates’ blackout is compounded by the eagerness of debate mediators to interrogate the candidates on other issues while failing to bring up education. —Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 May 2026

The other candidates’ blackout is compounded by the eagerness of debate mediators to interrogate the candidates on other issues while failing to bring up education. —Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 May 2026

Phrases Containing eager

• eager beaver