1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uneasy
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the whole crowd seemed to make an anxious gasp as the home team almost fumbled the ball
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3
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
I'm anxious for my birthday party
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxious
The meal is a constant, anxious audition: for the choicest cut, the hardest sear, the blackest caviar, the frothiest heartburn.
—
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 16 Mar. 2025
Jacob Tremblay plays Winston's anxious stepson Wade.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
In a time when many workers are anxious about what AI means for their roles, leaders who speak to both the potential and the limits of AI are earning deeper trust and keeping their teams engaged.
—Cheryl Robinson, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
For most of its run time, Hallow Road unfolds in a car, as anxious parents respond to a distressed call from their college-age daughter, speeding through the night to get to her in time to help.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
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The analysts are worried about the software provider’s earnings in an environment where the federal budget is being cut.—
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If the Yankees are worried about pitching, Kevin Cash isn’t with his Rays.—
Adjective
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Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.—
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But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.—
Adjective
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So, when the opportunity to visit Tanzania arose, I was intrigued and excited to embark on this journey.—
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But the Devils are a bit of a mess thanks to injuries, which makes this matchup hard to get too excited over.—
Adjective
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Dogs might feel scared and nervous or have separation anxiety while home alone.—
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If people are scared and nervous, that in and of itself is harm.—
Adjective
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Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.—
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Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.—
Adjective
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With rising incomes, a booming domestic travel sector and a government eager to improve the country’s tourism infrastructure, India is commanding unprecedented attention from the world’s most prominent hotel brands.—
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Trump is eager to avoid repeating some of the turnover that characterized his first term.—
Adjective
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This resulted in the anonymous poster feeling guilty and upset.—
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Some people find that drinking it on an empty stomach, such as before breakfast, can also lead to digestive upset or acid reflux.—
Adjective
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On March 15, 2025, the family experienced the tense moments of watching a tornado form nearby but were fortunate enough to escape the worst.—
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After three days of tense competition at the Regional Championships, the postseason field narrowed from 36 to 16.—
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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