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
Anxiety, fear and nervousness can all cause false positives in a polygraph test.
—
Rupal Patel, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, when Orion hit the Earth's atmosphere and went radio silent for six minutes due to the interference from plasma during descent, there was some nervousness in Mission Control.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Diaz’s first reaction was nervousness and excitement.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
After a day of heavy explosions in multiple areas of the capital, a nervousness hung over its residents tonight.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Besides taking care of the physical state of the soldiers, Munin learned to spot nervousness or agitation among soldiers and to treat them while in battle.
—Mariia Yastreba, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
There is a little bit of nervousness about what if the war continues for too long.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
There was plenty of nervousness surrounding Knight Nation over the past few weeks.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Rupal Patel, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, when Orion hit the Earth's atmosphere and went radio silent for six minutes due to the interference from plasma during descent, there was some nervousness in Mission Control.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Diaz’s first reaction was nervousness and excitement.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
After a day of heavy explosions in multiple areas of the capital, a nervousness hung over its residents tonight.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Besides taking care of the physical state of the soldiers, Munin learned to spot nervousness or agitation among soldiers and to treat them while in battle.
—Mariia Yastreba, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
There is a little bit of nervousness about what if the war continues for too long.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
There was plenty of nervousness surrounding Knight Nation over the past few weeks.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervousness
Noun
-
Mergen said recruitment to the DOJ had become harder over his decades there, as government shutdowns created anxiety about working at the department, and as nonprofits became more competitive in their salaries.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Where academic pressures run high, so does the money and the parental anxiety.—
Catherine Thorbecke,
Boston Herald,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Gábor Polyák, a professor of media law at Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, said many in the capital were hearing stories of elderly people in small villages who, since Magyar’s victory, were living in fear.—
Christian Edwards,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
-
Among the victims were two boys, ages 12 and 14, whose deaths have rattled their community in Northeast Washington and prompted broader fears about an uptick in gun violence that typically unfolds in warmer weather.—
Marissa J. Lang,
Washington Post,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Kids today have the same worries about careers and friendships that his generation did.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The worry is that the government is throwing taxpayer money at a solution that will not save the airline long-term.—
Donald Judd,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Those who have adopted its use for shopping are driven primarily by convenience and efficiency, but many are constrained by concerns around trust and authenticity.—
Amy O’Brien,
Vogue,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Scott’s fellow Democrats ousted him from his post as ranking minority member on the Agriculture Committee in 2024 amid concerns about his age and health.—
Bill Barrow,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Tens of thousands of layoffs at Meta over the last four years as the company balances its AI ambitions with investor unease.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
24 Apr. 2026
-
At the same time, Burry signaled growing unease with the broader market after a relentless rally to record highs despite persistent geopolitical tensions.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervousness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
