NERVOUSLY Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

nervously

adverb

Definition of nervously next

as in anxiously

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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 nervously Travelers with airline reservations may be nervously recalling a 43-day government shutdown that led to historic flight cancellations and long delays last year. —

ABC News, 14 Feb. 2026 Men famously think about Rome every day, and political commentators have been nervously comparing Rome’s fall to a potential American collapse since before America even had a Constitution. —

Vann R. Newkirk Ii, The Atlantic, 9 Feb. 2026 Nearly 29 years ago, on the first day of the 1997 NFL Draft, the Ohio State All-American defensive lineman was sitting in his childhood home near Akron, nervously waiting to find out where his pro football journey would begin. —

Michael Silver, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 Some nervously walked, others sprinted through the snowy sand, but all made it to the icy lake and into the water. —

Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 2 Feb. 2026 Moments before the verdict was read, family members of the victims were seen shaking their legs nervously. —

Matthew J. Friedman, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026 Kutcher said as Fallon looked nervously out at the cheering crowd. —

Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Jan. 2026 Mann’s hilarious Brad says to Ben, grinning nervously and clapping his hands in an attempt to make friends. —

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2026 This time last year, the Horns stood pat with an offensive line that ended up not performing to lofty expectations and now with only tackles Trevor Goosby and Brandon Baker scheduled to return, fans nervously wait as Sark and his staff go about the business of retooling the roster. —

Cedric Golden, Austin American Statesman, 9 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervously

Adverb

Parties on both sides of a long-running debate over the California Public Utilities Commission’s controversial overhaul of rooftop solar regulations are anxiously awaiting a ruling from the state’s court of appeals.

— Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
For now, worried residents are anxiously awaiting the public meeting, and Quant is hanging her hopes on getting a contested case hearing on the books.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Feb. 2026