keyed up

adjective

Definition of keyed upnext
1
as in excited
being in a state of increased activity or agitation She's pretty keyed up from all that coffee.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty He was all keyed up for his first day at the new job.

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 keyed up Here her strained exuberance keyed up a bit. — Christopher Hooks, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Resets can be used during warm-ups, after workouts, between stressful meetings or anytime your body feels keyed up. — Dana Santas, CNN Money, 14 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for keyed up
  1. excited
  2. worried
  3. heated
  4. upset
  5. agitated
  6. nervous
  7. anxious
  8. troubled
Adjective
  • The gala’s also honoring Denis Villeneuve, which Celmins is excited about.
    — Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 6 Nov. 2026
  • That could be a great way to get kids excited about engineering.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Signs so far show Singles’ Day, China ’s biggest online shopping festival, is failing to entice worried consumers into splashing out more, even when they are offered bargains.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Nov. 2026
  • Additionally, The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the PMA is worried that if the watchmen went on strike, that other ILWU dockworkers would walk off the job in solidarity.
    — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • The Westin’s outdoor pool is 25 yards, heated year-round, and uses salt water instead of chlorine, so you’ll spot lap swimmers slicing through the steam even in winter.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Nov. 2026
  • The open kitchen includes soapstone counters, and the primary bath has a soaker tub and heated floors.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 10 Nov. 2026
Definition of heated
Adjective
  • There was no upset this time in the season opener for TCU men’s basketball as the Horned Frogs rolled to a 98-59 win over Lindenwood Monday night at Schollmaier Arena.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Hafley was naturally upset about Ollie Gordon’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that turned into a 3rd and 5 into a 3rd and 20 that the Dolphins didn’t convert during the Patriots’ 21-0 run.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Caregivers for dementia patients, whether family members at home or employees in an institution, can face daily challenges from residents who may be uncooperative or agitated, but advocates emphasize that caregivers must stay patient and respectful.
    — Robert McCoppin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Yoko said her daughter simply tried to prevent an agitated resident from biting others by putting her hand around the person’s chin.
    — Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Eha Retreat offers a full nervous-system reset through forest rituals and Nordic coziness.
    — Nicole Trilivas, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2026
  • Nora is stuttery; Michael is relaxed; Saeed is nervous; Johnny is cooler than ice.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Everyone’s inner monologue is narrated by no less than author Zadie Smith, whose voice-over’s cool assurance forms a productive contrast with the characters’ anxious scrambling.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Even so, a person calling about an arrest or a custody dispute is just as likely to be anxious, and a voice that sounds human but is not can feel like deception, whatever the law requires.
    — Hamid Kohan, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • His arrival will force Violette to confront hidden truths of her troubled past filled with hidden truths.
    — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
  • But when their increasingly dangerous scheme becomes a plan to escape their troubled families, the stakes spiral beyond their control.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of troubled

Browse Nearby Words

keyed
keyed up
keyhole
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Cite this Entry

“Keyed up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/keyed%20up. Accessed 13 Nov. 2026.

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