as in excitable
easily excited by nature
a dog that tends to be high-strung is not the best pet for young children
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Recent Examples of high-strung
In episode three, that perfect fit is Benito Skinner, who plays a high-strung costume designer named Carter who wears Valerie down with a visual and spiritual assault on caftans on the set of her new sitcom.
—
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The scheme shocks their high-strung son Harold (Roberts), whose wife, Neha (Gill), is a local police officer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In each of these roles, O’Hara grounded these high-strung personas while deftly winking at the audience and letting them in on the joke, particularly in the films’ mock-interview segments.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Jan. 2026
The heavy, high-strung, high-stakes series is a must-watch.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
Things are further complicated when the eldest Stone son, played by Dermot Mulroney, brings his high-strung girlfriend, Meredith (Parker), home to meet the family, and the matriarch later reveals to everyone that her breast cancer has metastasized.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The scheme shocks their high-strung son Harold (Roberts), whose wife, Neha (Gill), is a local police officer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In each of these roles, O’Hara grounded these high-strung personas while deftly winking at the audience and letting them in on the joke, particularly in the films’ mock-interview segments.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Jan. 2026
The heavy, high-strung, high-stakes series is a must-watch.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
Things are further complicated when the eldest Stone son, played by Dermot Mulroney, brings his high-strung girlfriend, Meredith (Parker), home to meet the family, and the matriarch later reveals to everyone that her breast cancer has metastasized.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-strung
Adjective
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An unexpected collaboration opportunity is very possible under today’s trine between excitable Mars and erratic Uranus.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
-
At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.—
Michael Gioia,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Behind yet another standout performance from Elliot Cadeau, who was named the Final Four’s most outstanding player, the Wolverines weathered a UConn run in the first half that had the massive throng of maize-and-blue fans in Indianapolis feeling nervous.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
7 Apr. 2026
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King had been nervous about the casting process.—
Angelina Mazza,
Vulture,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-strung. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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