uptight

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sean Penn, Hollywood's eternal rebel, on Sunday won a third Oscar for his comic yet terrifying portrayal of an absurdly uptight soldier ashamed of his past in "One Battle After Another."

From Barron's • Mar. 16, 2026

The depictions of Ruth’s uptight and stingy brother Hyacinth and jealous and mother-in-law from hell “old Mrs. Hall” are both hoots.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

He would have probably been more restrained and uptight if it hadn't been Levy asking the questions.

From BBC • Oct. 2, 2025

There are certain people in the room that are so uptight that I kind of want to win them over first, just so I can get away with the rest of the monologue.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 2, 2025

The imminent arrival at their house of an assortment of wizards was making the Dursleys uptight and irritable.

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling