as in anxiety
a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements
because of the horse's skittishness and temperamental nature, only experienced riders should ride him
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Recent Examples of skittishness
Now, with early voting for the March 3 primary set to start next week, the mudslinging in both races is expected to soar, according to insiders with both parties watching with skittishness from Texas and Washington.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
The skittishness with tech stocks subsided on Friday, with shares of Nvidia and Microsoft going up, as did the price of Bitcoin.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Analysts and former diplomats told CNN that successive British governments have failed to strike the correct balance on China, resulting in a policy characterized by mistrust, skittishness and incoherence.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
But their skittishness and brutality are qualities associated with fear, not resolve.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Her singular blend of severity and skittishness is unrivalled in the poetry of her peers.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
If Monday’s recovery can shake off the skittishness felt during Friday’s rough market reversal .
—John Melloy, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Lewis says his skittishness stems from a fear that competitors will copy Darrow’s model, and from sensitivity around ethical rules about sharing attorneys’ fees with non-lawyers.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Others think the frugality signals economic skittishness.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
The skittishness with tech stocks subsided on Friday, with shares of Nvidia and Microsoft going up, as did the price of Bitcoin.
—Carlos Garcia, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
Analysts and former diplomats told CNN that successive British governments have failed to strike the correct balance on China, resulting in a policy characterized by mistrust, skittishness and incoherence.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 27 Jan. 2026
But their skittishness and brutality are qualities associated with fear, not resolve.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 27 Jan. 2026
Her singular blend of severity and skittishness is unrivalled in the poetry of her peers.
—Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
If Monday’s recovery can shake off the skittishness felt during Friday’s rough market reversal .
—John Melloy, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025
Lewis says his skittishness stems from a fear that competitors will copy Darrow’s model, and from sensitivity around ethical rules about sharing attorneys’ fees with non-lawyers.
—Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
Others think the frugality signals economic skittishness.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittishness
Noun
-
Still, the broader bond rout reflects anxiety about the global economy after crude oil surged toward $120 a barrel, up almost 80% since the Iran war began and disrupted shipments from the Middle East.—
Marcus Wong,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Studies have shown a correlation between heavy digital dependence and mental health challenges including depression, anxiety and stress.—
Karen Garcia,
Twin Cities,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Let some quiet music gently soothe your senses while worries drift away.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
One activist said the group is aware of the concerns, as well as worries about noise complaints, but counter that with the changing tactics of ICE agents in their communities, residents are also looking for new, flexible, grassroots ways to alert people.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Other groups, including the Minnesota Catholic Conference, expressed similar unease.—
Caroline Cummings,
CBS News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
General symptoms experienced by people with this condition include disrupted sleep, dysphoria (a state of unease or unhappiness) and difficulty managing stress.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
-
His jumpiness in the pocket, decision-making and lack of deep passes are a cause for concern, potentially.—
Chase Gemes,
Kansas City Star,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Dubbed Antscan, the platform features micrometer-resolution reconstructions that lay bare not only the insects’ armored exoskeletons but also their muscles, nerves, digestive tracts, and needle-like stingers poised at the ready.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Some of that just reflects general nerves across the stock market.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The combination of sugar and caffeine may cause more jitteriness than coffee alone.—
Caitlin Beale,
Health,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Four Sigmatic coffee contains less caffeine to help prevent jitteriness and energy crashes.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those unseen spaces have a kind of electrical charge, the power of bonds and conflicts, of underlying tensions and demands.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
-
Friends later told police that tensions had been growing within the group.—
Isabella Wandermurem,
Time,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
At the Grammys, Minerva applied the classic neutral OPI Bare My Soul to Lovato's nails but outlined each one with thin strokes of Black Onyx for just the right amount of edginess, and did the same with rhinestones for a glitzy, glam mani during the holidays.—
Kara Nesvig,
Allure,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Feeling hesitant about periwinkle’s edginess?—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skittishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittishness. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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