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
-
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
-
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
-
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
Noun
-
Market jumpiness can serve as a good moment for those nearing the end of their career to make sure their nest egg is prepared for a downturn, Benz said.—
Annie Nova,Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Conference Board economist Dana Peterson noted these state indexes have a history of statistical jumpiness.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
30 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.—
Berkeley Lovelace Jr,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Meanwhile, tech stocks are back in favor after sliding earlier this year over nerves about expensive valuations and AI disrupting the software industry.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, stick to one cup of moderately strong coffee or lower-strength caffeine (not more than 100 milligrams) to avoid jitteriness and other side effects.—
Emmanuella Ogbonna,
Health,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Four Sigmatic coffee contains less caffeine to help prevent jitteriness and energy crashes.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Taurus Sun squares intense Pluto in Aquarius, pushing tension between your sense of self and outside demands.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
As Siâvash increasingly retreats into imaginary characters, the documentary traces a sibling relationship shaped and strained by displacement, set against a backdrop of escalating tension between Iran and the United States that carries personal consequences for both subjects.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This wood vanity brings an edginess to your bathroom decor.—
Kate McGregor,
Architectural Digest,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Without going the easy route of just talking about whatever group is in the edginess Zeitgeist at the moment, Holmes is tapping into an audience’s desire to have someone express their anger and frustration at the world, but in a way that is more openhearted and connective.—
Hershal Pandya,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Skittishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittishness. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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