1
as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
was anxious about the play tryouts scheduled for the following day
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest
I'm anxious for my birthday party
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anxious
Pets can become anxious and even experience panic attacks.
—
Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
Early news reports of a deadly Chris-Craft accident kept them anxious and restless all night.
—Ethan Wolin
updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
But perhaps the most persuasive testimony came from Mrs. Hall herself, who embodied the defense’s portrait of a loyal, unsuspecting wife, home alone and anxious over her husband’s mysterious disappearance.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The king, perhaps, was anxious to maintain his control over the nuts as a diplomatic resource—a means of impressing important dignitaries.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Clara Hendrickson, Freep.com, 4 July 2025
Early news reports of a deadly Chris-Craft accident kept them anxious and restless all night.
—Ethan Wolin
updated July 4, Sacbee.com, 4 July 2025
But perhaps the most persuasive testimony came from Mrs. Hall herself, who embodied the defense’s portrait of a loyal, unsuspecting wife, home alone and anxious over her husband’s mysterious disappearance.
—Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 27 June 2025
The king, perhaps, was anxious to maintain his control over the nuts as a diplomatic resource—a means of impressing important dignitaries.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anxious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anxious
Adjective
-
One of the biggest shifts since the time of Rose is that far fewer Americans are worried about this potential problem.—
Harry Enten,
CNN Money,
11 July 2025
-
Critics of Greene's bill are worried that the legislation could disproportionately benefit higher-income individuals, who naturally stand to make more profits from a home sale.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Outlook: Stability or Strain? Oil markets in 2024 were defined by an uneasy equilibrium.—
Robert Rapier,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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Given that uneasy reminder, the small victory ultimately won by King and his followers is even more extraordinary and potent.—
Sophie van Bastelaer,
EW.com,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
Not everyone will be excited to see the president back in town, however.—
Haisten Willis,
The Washington Examiner,
14 July 2025
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The actress, 32, spoke with PEOPLE on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of her new film Smurfs and shared that her kids — son Kingston, 4, and daughter Jackson, 2 — are going to be very excited to see their mom on the big screen.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The odds of a recession may be falling, but states appear to be betting that corporate leaders are still nervous.—
Scott Cohn,
CNBC,
12 July 2025
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Then there's the real world, which is entirely different, so in reality people have nothing to be nervous about.—
Wesley Stenzel,
EW.com,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
Scientists have found a new way to cheat the system – which is both ingenious and disturbing.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
Depictions of nuclear war became more serious and disturbing, breaking Hollywood conventions about happy endings.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
As growth in the region has pushed west and commercial development has accelerated beyond Boise, Idaho’s second-largest city has added jobs, boosted wages and caught the eye of employers eager to set up shop in a central location and cut their workers’ commute times.—
Idaho Statesman,
Idaho Statesman,
14 July 2025
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Applications for the program will open later this year and the government is optimistic about strong interest from those eager to capitalize on this opportunity.—
Panorama Media Ltd,
Miami Herald,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
But at the same time, local affordability concerns and overcrowding have skyrocketed, making the locals quite upset.—
Christopher Elliott,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
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With less than 30 seconds to go in the game, and both teams tied at 77, Reese walked off the court visibly upset during a timeout.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 July 2025
Adjective
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The unsettling noise was followed by a tense hour in the cabin, with many passengers crying, praying or showing signs of distress.—
Muri Assunção,
New York Daily News,
10 July 2025
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Eyewitness accounts reported that the sweltering temperatures, along with swarms of flies from a nearby stable, contributed to a tense atmosphere and slowed down debate.—
Marianne Krasny,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anxious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anxious. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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