as in anxiety
a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements
the edginess of the basketball players in the moments before the start of the tournament was apparent
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Recent Examples of edginess
To generate relevancy and influence, social-media algorithms demand spectacle, conflict, and edginess.
—
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The raw hem adds a touch of edginess that’ll spice up even a pair of white sneakers.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Carpenter, eye-catching in a glittery fringe dress, couldn’t help but exude a certain edginess onstage at the Opry House, even if the 26-year-old left out some of her favorite swear words.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Borrowing from the flamboyance of the New Romantics, the edginess of punks and the melancholic themes in their music, goth makeup was dark, vampiric, and vaguely dangerous—an aesthetic music fans copied when gathering at goth haunts like the Batcave in London.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025
What these pants add to the look is a bit of edginess.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Aug. 2025
The shoe manages to feed her overall look’s edginess, while infusing a valuable touch of color, just like her shirt of choice.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
Ali Breland, The Atlantic, 23 Dec. 2025
The raw hem adds a touch of edginess that’ll spice up even a pair of white sneakers.
—Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Carpenter, eye-catching in a glittery fringe dress, couldn’t help but exude a certain edginess onstage at the Opry House, even if the 26-year-old left out some of her favorite swear words.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
Borrowing from the flamboyance of the New Romantics, the edginess of punks and the melancholic themes in their music, goth makeup was dark, vampiric, and vaguely dangerous—an aesthetic music fans copied when gathering at goth haunts like the Batcave in London.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 8 Oct. 2025
What these pants add to the look is a bit of edginess.
—Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 8 Aug. 2025
The shoe manages to feed her overall look’s edginess, while infusing a valuable touch of color, just like her shirt of choice.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for edginess
Noun
-
Somehow, this new sensation emitted an awareness of the magnitude in which skateboarding would warp my life, which only ratcheted up the anxiety of blowing it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
-
The news this week that an ICE agent had shot and killed a woman in Minnesota heightened his anxiety.—
Andrea Castillo,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But a sense of unease overshadows it.—
Laura Turbay,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Today the sprawling complex is a museum and visitor attraction, where a sense of unease lurks along paved tourist trails and lingers in dark corridors.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell has created worries about the Fed's independence, and whether it might be politically influenced.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
16 Jan. 2026
-
First Amendment, press advocacy groups concerned by search The search warrant is raising First Amendment worries from press freedom advocates.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Van Raemdonck will certainly work to soothe the nerves of other such stars, and seek to avoid more defections.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
15 Jan. 2026
-
While some patients end up having diabetes, there are many possibilities; others might have a genetic condition, or their immune system could be attacking their nerves, Dorsch says.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In August 2023, Starsiak Hawk opened up about tension between her and her family on her podcast, Mina AF.—
Erin Clements,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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South Korean officials have said that Lee and Takaichi would likely touch on the tensions between China and Japan on Lee’s two-day visit.—
Miranda Jeyaretnam,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The combination of green tea and L-theanine creates a calm alertness that supports mental clarity while reducing jitteriness.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
7 Jan. 2026
-
Asthma treatments Some asthma medications open airways by relaxing muscles, but their side effects include jitteriness and restlessness, which are similar to caffeine’s.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
His jumpiness in the pocket, decision-making and lack of deep passes are a cause for concern, potentially.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Her singular blend of severity and skittishness is unrivalled in the poetry of her peers.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
If Monday’s recovery can shake off the skittishness felt during Friday’s rough market reversal .—
John Melloy,
CNBC,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Edginess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edginess. Accessed 22 Jan. 2026.
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