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
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
Allen hosting Black celebrities like Diahann Carroll despite network skittishness.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
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
Allen hosting Black celebrities like Diahann Carroll despite network skittishness.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittishness
Noun
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Add in the possibility of more extensive – and costly – work such as bridges, crowns, extractions or implants, and the anxiety can grow even stronger.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
-
The enthusiasm around personal curriculums and independent learning might reflect modern-day anxieties.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The worry is that these aren’t simple, one-off glitches, but systemic flaws with the way that generative tools are designed and built, and a lack of accountability for the behavior of AI algorithms.—
Bernard Marr,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Taxes at that level were essentially a blockade on commerce between the world's two largest economies, causing worries about global growth that led to negotiations that ratcheted down the tariffs being levied by both nations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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The brief spasm, though, betrays an unease in the incredibly slim majority Johnson controls and the volatility in his base.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
8 Sep. 2025
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That sense of unease has grown more in recent years, as shifting immigration policies fuel confusion about what protections still exist.—
David Rodriguez Muñoz,
Freep.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Whether someone's interests bore you or a mispronunciation is getting on your nerves, approach every conversation about such subjects with grace.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
13 Sep. 2025
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The Lionesses are very process-driven in an effort to reduce nerves.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Opened in 1946, the diner was the first in the city to hire African Americans in front-of-house roles during a time when racial tensions were heightened, and its inclusive legacy has lived on.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The cable machine helps keep the muscles in constant tension.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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What these pants add to the look is a bit of edginess.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
8 Aug. 2025
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The shoe manages to feed her overall look’s edginess, while infusing a valuable touch of color, just like her shirt of choice.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Skittishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittishness. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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