uptight

adjective

ˈəp-ˈtīt How to pronounce uptight (audio)
Definition of uptightnext
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty he has a tendency to fret and get uptight whenever his usual routine is disrupted

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 uptight Anna and Tom’s daughter, Natalie (Lily Collias), views Cady as a source who might finally tell her the truth about her uptight mother and avoidant stepfather. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026 The film’s director, uptight Euro expat Max (Christoph Waltz), is initially enraged by their hijacking of the shoot, but his studio fatcat bosses (both voiced by Jeff Bridges) love the unhinged results. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 22 June 2026 After granting his request to aid his cause, Sharako insists that the uptight Lannister prove his worth by wrestling her in a mud pit. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 21 June 2026 Dabbling in this culinary staple is an antidote to uptight, disciplined design. — Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for uptight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uptight
  1. worried
  2. nervous
  3. upset
  4. anxious
  5. uneasy
  6. troubled
Adjective
  • Why people don’t like it Some residents are worried about how these sprawling energy farms will affect local soil, especially near farmland.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The drop in tech talent in the Bay Area comes as workers grow more worried that AI could lead to fewer jobs.
    — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of worried
Adjective
  • Until Bezos, or any of his new partners, speak publicly, the conversation about what comes next will be nervous.
    — Simon Hughes, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • In a nervous market full of geopolitical tension, IPOs have attracted a lot of investor attention, with AI darlings Anthropic and OpenAI preparing for their own debuts.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of nervous
Adjective
  • Pasadena residents are upset after a bloodied peacock was found in their neighborhood last week after what appeared to be a violent encounter with a mail carrier.
    — Nicole Comstock, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Improved Digestion Bloating, constipation, acid reflux, upset stomach—all are uncomfortable signs of indigestion after eating.
    — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of upset
Adjective
  • Being anxious or nervous about this big step in your career is very normal.
    — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 24 Aug. 2026
  • Super teams share prompts openly, coached by leaders who use the tools themselves, which leaves them markedly less anxious about AI displacing their jobs.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • Security will remain in place at the schools, officials said, and counselors will be available for students who feel uneasy about attending classes.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • But that blend of raucous laughs (OK, well, some raucous laughs, some mere attempts at them) and real world concerns makes for an uneasy watch, ping-ponging between moods and tones in unpredictable ways.
    — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of uneasy
Adjective
  • Unmasking ‘Criminal’ The FBI became aware of Spitze’s online crimes through his troubled home life and desire for fame, according to a DOJ sentencing memo to the court.
    — Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Hayden Panettiere's troubled relationship with on-and-off boyfriend Brian Hickerson had one final, unexpected chapter that is still unfolding.
    — Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of troubled

Browse Nearby Words

upticks
uptight
up till
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Cite this Entry

“Uptight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uptight. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of uptight for Spanish Speakers

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