EDGINESS Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

edginess

noun

Definition of edginess

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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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 edginess Still, despite the edginess of the film—which is arguably better plotted than the original—Moore isn’t wrong about treacly Hollywood politics sweeping in. — Literary Hub, 5 Nov. 2026 Murray’s coach at the time, Amélie Mauresmo, picked up on Djokovic’s edginess during the semifinal. — Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 28 Oct. 2026 The edginess came from a two-game losing streak that sent the Longhorns sliding out of the top spot in the poll. — ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026 In spite of the intermittent aesthetics of edginess, Bass is better understood as a foray into a classic mid-career pop-star conceit. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026 In many ways, this movie set the template for the modern action-comedy blockbuster, but few of its many imitators have come close to matching the spunky edginess and swooning romantic intrigue of the original trend-setter. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026 The edginess of your bob is directly correlated to its length. — Calin Van Paris, InStyle, 9 Aug. 2026 And for the 2026 ESPYs, her hairstylist, Anh Co Tran, made sure her hair remained inspo-pic-worthy, sweeping it into an intentionally imperfect updo that managed to balance elegance and edginess—just like the figure skater herself. — Marci Robin, Allure, 16 July 2026 In an age in which every character needs to have some edginess or shadow of darkness in them, this Hutt is the contrary. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 22 May 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for edginess

Noun

America in 2026 is not Nazi Germany, but events from 88 years ago still overshadow the thinking and anxiety of millions of Jews.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Advertisement Even reading this suggestion to consider being more open-minded may increase your anxiety and create tension in your body.

— Joan M. Cook, Time, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

Le Pen, meanwhile, has sought to harness unease over the demonstrations.

— David Brennan, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2026
California Democrats have been unable, so far, to solve homelessness or rising housing prices, Newton said, and there is unease about whether the policies that have gotten California to this point can move the state forward.

— Jenny Jarvie Follow, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Still, there are nerves in what's been considered a Republican stronghold.

— CBS News, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
Writing the book has been a very solitary experience—done after Viva falls asleep—and finally getting to squeeze my pals and feel less alone in it is a balm to my nerves.

— Tarajia Morrell, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of nerves

Noun

Amid ongoing tensions, Gallucci and the band parted ways in 2016, and Cold War Kids settled into their most stable lineup with Willett, Maust, Plummer, keyboardist Matthew Schwartz and guitarist David Quon, a fellow Biola alum.

— Pamela Chelin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026
The realization settled in for Republicans on Tuesday, when tensions flared over reelecting Senate GOP Leader John Thune (R-SD) and the rest of his leadership team over whether more time should be given to process the party’s election shellacking.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 10 Nov. 2026

Definition of tension

Noun

Research shows that side effects may include insomnia, jitteriness, and gastrointestinal issues.

— Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2026
The constant movement might make some audience members dizzy, yet its jitteriness signifies the anxiety and unease of the characters, both in their skin and with each other.

— Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 25 May 2026

Definition of jitteriness

Noun

Market jumpiness can serve as a good moment for those nearing the end of their career to make sure their nest egg is prepared for a downturn, Benz said.

— Annie Nova,Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 5 Mar. 2026
Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.

— Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 30 Dec. 2025

Definition of jumpiness

Noun

Gorky was using European traditions—Roberto Matta’s Surrealism, Picasso’s neoclassicism, Cézanne’s explorations—to make work that captured New York’s sexiness, skittishness, and force.

— Hilton Als, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026
This summer, major shoe brands from Nike to Adidas to Under Armour to On have each expressed skittishness about the retail environment for sneaker sales.

— Sara Germano, Sportico.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of skittishness

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edgewise

edginess

edging

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“Edginess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edginess. Accessed 11 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of edginess

noun

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