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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 nervousness
In an interview with WWD a few days ahead of the big event on Friday, Cantini Parrini retraced the race against time and the many challenges that came with the project, without hiding some nervousness about its outcome and the reaction from the audience.
—
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Given the recent tech selloffs and nervousness among investors and diminishing performance gains with each new AI model release, that seems to still be an open question.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
There has been a nervousness about the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks but against Chelsea, Arteta felt the fans rose to the occasion.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The police had argued that the driver’s nervousness and possession of a rolling tray was sufficient to search the car, an argument the court rejected.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Financial markets were still showing some signs of nervousness on Thursday.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Hawke gives me a Harrison Ford-length pause — not out of nervousness, but genuine thought.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 6 Feb. 2026
Given the recent tech selloffs and nervousness among investors and diminishing performance gains with each new AI model release, that seems to still be an open question.
—Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 5 Feb. 2026
There has been a nervousness about the Emirates Stadium in recent weeks but against Chelsea, Arteta felt the fans rose to the occasion.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The police had argued that the driver’s nervousness and possession of a rolling tray was sufficient to search the car, an argument the court rejected.
—Calmatters, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Financial markets were still showing some signs of nervousness on Thursday.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026
Then, while Williams was stoic, Storrie feigned nervousness about presenting, contorting himself into knots.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Jan. 2026
Hawke gives me a Harrison Ford-length pause — not out of nervousness, but genuine thought.
—David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
Running out of battery mid-flight means missing entertainment and the chance to use apps that help manage nervousness or track turbulence.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervousness
Noun
-
The dueling anxieties have been brewing for months.—
Jeran Wittenstein,
Fortune,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Remember that meaning can vary widely from person to person—for example, a dog can mean safety and loyalty to one person or fear and anxiety to another.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That sparked fears that AI tools could eat into existing companies’ business models and customer bases.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
-
But the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have also stoked fear that people who record or otherwise monitor federal immigration operations risk arrest.—
Kristen Taketa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Its stock has been under pressure because of worries that competitors powered by artificial intelligence technology could upend its industry and take away customers.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But the new study—along with previous research—reiterates that worries of weight gain with mango consumption aren’t substantiated.—
Lauren Manaker MS,
Health,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Prosecutors said county staffers raised concerns about the organization with their supervisors.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The members of the council understand that the disarray wrought by Clark’s departure and the lingering concerns about Meyer could be exploited by the owners during bargaining sessions.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The score hums and pulses with modern unease, making the film feel like a fever dream that happens to borrow Brontë’s names.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The Nancy Guthrie case highlights mounting unease over how much control Nest‑ and Ring‑style devices give both tech companies and law enforcement over intimate footage from people’s homes.—
Ashley Lutz,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervousness. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
