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
Meanwhile, as Hjalmar’s 14-year-old daughter, Hedvig, the elfin Maaike Laanstra-Corn is delivering yet another wonderfully eccentric embodiment of a high-strung tween with a potentially perilous excess of imagination.
—
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
From embattled and high-strung romances to one three-time divorcée, here's a look at her relationship timeline.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Vest has always been high-strung, prone to wearing emotion on his sleeve.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 July 2025
This was also long before Emily Blunt was a household name, so the sass and high-strung nature of her character felt fresh.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 9 July 2025
A lot went down on Thursday’s new episode of Hacks, but one of the most memorable moments was when Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart) had an unexpected night out with her dutiful and high-strung assistant, Damien (played by Mark Indelicato).
—Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Others might be more high-strung, trying to live up to the older sibling's example or carve out their own identity.
—Emily Edlynn, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
Feeling at home is a strong theme as Buddy tries to build a relationship with his estranged father, a high-strung corporate worker on the naughty list portrayed by Michael Hayden, and make it in the human world.
—Caroline Howe, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
The show leaned into the meta-ness of the Lowes playing an eccentric father and high-strung son.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024
Sara Holdren, Vulture, 14 Sep. 2025
From embattled and high-strung romances to one three-time divorcée, here's a look at her relationship timeline.
—Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 1 Aug. 2025
Vest has always been high-strung, prone to wearing emotion on his sleeve.
—Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 11 July 2025
This was also long before Emily Blunt was a household name, so the sass and high-strung nature of her character felt fresh.
—Stephanie Sengwe, People.com, 9 July 2025
A lot went down on Thursday’s new episode of Hacks, but one of the most memorable moments was when Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart) had an unexpected night out with her dutiful and high-strung assistant, Damien (played by Mark Indelicato).
—Jeff Conway, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Others might be more high-strung, trying to live up to the older sibling's example or carve out their own identity.
—Emily Edlynn, Parents, 8 Jan. 2025
Feeling at home is a strong theme as Buddy tries to build a relationship with his estranged father, a high-strung corporate worker on the naughty list portrayed by Michael Hayden, and make it in the human world.
—Caroline Howe, NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024
The show leaned into the meta-ness of the Lowes playing an eccentric father and high-strung son.
—Jordan Moreau, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-strung
Adjective
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The cranky and irritating backseat driver, who bums a lift midway through the Griswolds' adventure, also has with her the easily excitable pooch Dinky.—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Seriesly’s own pitching competitions were well attended and brought the excitable energy that newer talent brings to proceedings.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now, Darvish will get to pitch in front of a stadium of screaming, hopeful, nervous Cubs fans.—
Jon Greenberg,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
-
If presidents are stars on the stage of world history, vice presidents are nervous understudies hidden away behind the scenes.—
Book Marks
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-strung. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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