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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Some anxious fans waited eight hours then to get close to the attraction’s Hogwarts Castle.
—
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Earlier, in an anxious state over the prospect of finishing her novel, Agathe is pessimistic.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Henry initially felt anxious about others possibly perceiving her decision to go blonde as an attempt to emulate whiteness or as an expression of self-hate.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 21 May 2025
The most anxious voices often hold the most influence.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 May 2025
Earlier, in an anxious state over the prospect of finishing her novel, Agathe is pessimistic.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
Henry initially felt anxious about others possibly perceiving her decision to go blonde as an attempt to emulate whiteness or as an expression of self-hate.
—Martine Thompson, Essence, 21 May 2025
The most anxious voices often hold the most influence.
—Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
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However, because the pool was shallow, Lisberg was less worried.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
25 May 2025
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There are signs that some in Israel are worried about the consequences of its actions in Gaza.—
Ivana Kottasová,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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In the wake of multiple plane crashes, and amid erratic federal policies and denials and detentions at border crossings, summer travel in the U.S. is in an uneasy state.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
2 June 2025
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The opening moments cement its tonal dissonance as, with a twang of Daniel Kowalski’s spare, uneasy score, a brief prologue with fire, a flailing figure and mutterings about Satan snaps to a far more banal view of an empty street lined with dim, shuttered houses under a low, gray sky.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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But for his versatility, the variety in his attacking link-up and movement, and his ever-presence in a tough City season, there is reason to be excited for what lies ahead.—
Thom Harris,
New York Times,
28 May 2025
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Artist Tina Birkhoff said this was her first year displaying her work at the event and was very excited to be at the show over the weekend.—
David Sharos,
Chicago Tribune,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The price of gold tends to move when markets get nervous – and so does the gold.—
Ken Roberts,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
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That said, one moment in the final episode did make Brashear nervous.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Nothing has officially happened yet, but the tension is disturbing with the consequences potentially devastating.—
Mac Engel,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
27 May 2025
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That’s a quite disturbing possibility since AGI could wield such an act on a scale of immense magnitude and with globally adverse consequences.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
24 May 2025
Adjective
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And fans also will be eager to watch the team play again.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
28 May 2025
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Against this backdrop of uncertainty, Dawkins is eager to get back on the court.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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Local fans were also upset at how ticketing was organised, with empty seats in temporary stands at their Montilivi ground for most games.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
2 June 2025
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When the Eaton and Palisades fires sparked in January — respectively the second- and third-most destructive in California history — familiarity, friend groups and routines were upset for Emory and many of her peers.—
Emma Bowman,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Adjective
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Denzel Washington confronts photographer in tense moment at Cannes Film Festival Watson did not scrimp in the glamour department for her 2013 Cannes debut either.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
23 May 2025
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The posts tee up a potentially tense exchange between U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and his European counterpart later Friday morning.—
Kevin Breuninger,
CNBC,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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