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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 edginess 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 Not, perhaps, in the context of last season and the edginess of this summer, but in the sense of meaning and finality. — David Ornstein, New York Times, 30 July 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 Maslany is the dynamic center of a story that twists in unexpected directions, giving Paula enough intelligence, warmth, and edginess to make her character cohere. — Judy Berman, Time, 20 May 2026 Alvarado is only 6-foot, but the five-year NBA veteran finds ways to overcome his undersized stature with energy, edginess and IQ. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for edginess

Noun

The Social Reckoning stars Mikey Madison and Jeremy Allen White each had their own unique anxieties about following up 2010’s beloved The Social Network.

— Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
The unrest followed days of clashes in Liège, where more than 200 people were arrested, while demonstrators in Brussels described growing anxiety over the cost of daily life.

— Mark Carlson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of anxiety

Noun

That slight sense of unease, coupled with Faith’s crystalline country voice and boundary-pushing songwriting, is at the core of her record Cherry Valley (and the recent deluxe version, Cherry Valley Forever).

— Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2026
Asked whether the ongoing appeals create any unease, Rosario waved it off.

— Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of unease

Noun

Plush carpeting, touches of turquoise in a largely eggshell-forward palette, tasteful landscape paintings that border on abstract, and spacious private balconies make up the subtle suite design, allaying any worries of dowdy beach resort decor.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Those moves have helped the stock market climb a wall of worry in the intervening years, including in 2026.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

And then the game starts, the nerves dissipate, and the opponent is methodically slayed.

— Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
For someone whose energetic stomp through Lagos helped introduce her to much of the internet, nerves still arrived when the Chanel runway beckoned.

— Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of nerves

Noun

Their presence has fueled social tensions in Ceuta and become a political issue across Spain, where opposition parties hope to use migration concerns to unseat the progressive government in next month's elections.

— JOSEPH WILSON, Arkansas Online, 14 Oct. 2026
Despite seeking international support and launching a new military offensive, Saudi Arabia faces a conflict with no clear endgame, as fragmented allies and unresolved regional tensions make a lasting solution hard to achieve.

— Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 14 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

edgewise

edginess

edging

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Edginess.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/edginess. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of edginess

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

deportment

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

Games & Quizzes