1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
he was nervous about how he would do at the varsity basketball tryouts
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
a nervous silence filled the room as the teacher handed out the graded exams
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excitable
easily excited by nature
a nervous sort of person, she's completely thrown by anything unexpected
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervous
The door opened, and a nervous-looking woman came out, carrying a metal box wrapped in a kitchen trash bag.
—
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
A week ago, the playoffs looked more than likely for the Rapids after a late winner against Houston, but this result and others around the West have quelled those hopes and will make for a nervous final three games of the season.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Ahead of the special appearance — which marked both the mother and daughter’s first time on the Radio City Music Hall stage, per Jackman — Willow was a bit nervous.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Nearly nine out of 10 institutional investors (89%) are nervous about investing in bitcoin due to its record-breaking growth, fearing losses from buying at all-time highs.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous
Dana Goodyear, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
A week ago, the playoffs looked more than likely for the Rapids after a late winner against Houston, but this result and others around the West have quelled those hopes and will make for a nervous final three games of the season.
—Braidon Nourse, Denver Post, 21 Sep. 2025
Ahead of the special appearance — which marked both the mother and daughter’s first time on the Radio City Music Hall stage, per Jackman — Willow was a bit nervous.
—Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2025
Nearly nine out of 10 institutional investors (89%) are nervous about investing in bitcoin due to its record-breaking growth, fearing losses from buying at all-time highs.
—Lawrence Wintermeyer, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous
Adjective
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The man, a legal researcher who lives legally in the United States, is worried he might be targeted by the federal government for speaking freely.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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As the day progressed though, Marsh became worried again.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
All that should have spelled relief to H-1B workers and their corporate sponsors, but Xiao Wang, chief executive of the immigration services firm Boundless Immigration, said the lack of detail left many unanswered questions – and his clients uneasy.—
Dian Zhang,
USA Today,
24 Sep. 2025
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If uneasy, history may provide equal insights with economics.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
21 Sep. 2025
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
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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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In the cold and austere German winter (a far cry from Dakar’s physical and cultural warmth), an anxious Nourou acts up outside a hotel and is accosted by a Polish security guard, setting off a minor chain reaction in which Maja intervenes on his behalf, much to his chagrin.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
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Right now, CEOs are both bullish and anxious.—
Mike Hoffman,
Fortune,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Following the San Francisco 49ers' loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, there was a tense moment caught on camera where 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and Jaguars head coach Liam Cohen argued with one another.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
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Pio’s first goal for Inter turned a tense 1-0 lead into a welcome 2-0 win.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Dart wasn’t the only Giants rookie to have a substantial impact in the upset victory.—
Dane Brugler,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
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Nudge your kids to make decisions for themselves, even when other people are upset.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Pros Leaf raking is quiet, so there are no time constraints; Collecting leaves manually not only avoids disturbing neighbors or wildlife, is also does not cause air pollution.—
Luke Miller,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Sep. 2025
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The attack adds to a disturbing pattern of violence targeting religious communities across the United States, including the recent mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis that killed two children and injured 17 others.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Legacy system complexities can be underestimated, users can feel apprehensive about new workflows or tools, and communication breakdowns can lead to insufficient stakeholder updates and collaboration.—
Devang Pandya,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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In the episode for which Howard is nominated, Matt is apprehensive to give feedback to the director that a scene from his new movie needs to be cut.—
Carson Blackwelder,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervous. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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