as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
your nervousness over your son's safety is only natural
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Recent Examples of nervousness
How Superstitions Impact Modern Life and Pregnacy Pregnancy and childbirth are major life changes, and with that may come feelings of nervousness, excitement, even fear—and some of these feelings could present themselves as superstitions.
—
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Supporters witnessed players gesturing to each other in annoyance at misplaced passes or mistimed runs, fans let rip with their own nervousness as their side defended a 1-0 lead, and, most graphically, head coach Vitor Pereira was sent from the touchline after his own anxiety got the better of him.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The operatives — typically uneasy about their party’s message, especially on the heels of the devastating 2024 election — did not express nervousness or fear about any ramifications in next year’s midterms.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Don’t try to talk yourself out of feeling badly, and instead, take time to figure out what your nervousness could say about your values, says David Rosmarin, an associate psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
While big volatility gauges aren’t sounding alarms — the VIX Index is hovering below 16 — there is a sense of nervousness that’s evident beyond big tech stocks.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
The deck team’s reactions to Kerry’s nervousness perfectly encapsulate each of their personalities.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
In the 2024 National College Health Assessment Report, 30% of the 30,000 students surveyed said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance, with 20% at risk for symptoms that suggest severe psychological distress, such as feelings of sadness, nervousness and hopelessness.
—Chanam Lee, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Being too aggressive can cause undue worry and create nervousness.
—David Kudla, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Kara Nesvig, Parents, 23 Oct. 2025
Supporters witnessed players gesturing to each other in annoyance at misplaced passes or mistimed runs, fans let rip with their own nervousness as their side defended a 1-0 lead, and, most graphically, head coach Vitor Pereira was sent from the touchline after his own anxiety got the better of him.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
The operatives — typically uneasy about their party’s message, especially on the heels of the devastating 2024 election — did not express nervousness or fear about any ramifications in next year’s midterms.
—Amie Parnes, The Hill, 2 Oct. 2025
Don’t try to talk yourself out of feeling badly, and instead, take time to figure out what your nervousness could say about your values, says David Rosmarin, an associate psychiatry professor at Harvard Medical School.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025
While big volatility gauges aren’t sounding alarms — the VIX Index is hovering below 16 — there is a sense of nervousness that’s evident beyond big tech stocks.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Sep. 2025
The deck team’s reactions to Kerry’s nervousness perfectly encapsulate each of their personalities.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2025
In the 2024 National College Health Assessment Report, 30% of the 30,000 students surveyed said anxiety negatively affected their academic performance, with 20% at risk for symptoms that suggest severe psychological distress, such as feelings of sadness, nervousness and hopelessness.
—Chanam Lee, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
Being too aggressive can cause undue worry and create nervousness.
—David Kudla, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervousness
Noun
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That driving tension and anxiety are largely thanks to the team of artisans, which included composer Volker Bertelmann, editor Kirk Baxter and sound designer Paul Ottosson, who worked closely behind the scenes on their respective crafts to bring it together.—
Jazz Tangcay,
Variety,
25 Oct. 2025
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That sense of anxiety is present throughout the book, most vividly in a wide shot of a group of cheerleaders rehearsing in a gym.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite the occasional mutual love, progressives have argued that Sliwa has previously stoked racist fears and encouraged vigilante aggression.—
Naaman Zhou,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
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Glossier is supporting other alumni of its 5-year-old grant program this year because of the challenges so many of these emerging brands are facing—and despite political fear among many other companies to keep these kinds of programs going.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
For Dillon Robertson, 32, money is a constant worry.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
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The latter film was made based on the confessions of young people living in Latvia who openly spoke of patronizing teachers and parents, worries for the future and fears over fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.—
Will Tizard,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The deployment has also raised concerns about racial profiling, wrongful arrests, and political pressure on law enforcement to align with federal immigration crackdowns.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
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He was included on the short list of presidential candidates in 2022 when Democrats started airing concerns about then-President Joe Biden's ability to run for a second term.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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But each story adds to the uncertainty and unease in the air.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
31 Oct. 2025
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The unease was amplified by the woman’s explanation that the prints appeared in an area of the apartment not easily accessed.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervousness. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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