nervous

[nur-vuhs] / ˈnɜr vəs /

ADJECTIVE

anxious, fearful

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid agitated annoyed apprehensive concerned edgy fussy hesitant hysterical irritable jittery jumpy shaky shy skittish spooked tense timid uneasy uptight volatile weak

WEAK

basket case bothered distressed disturbed excitable fidgety fitful flustered high-strung nervy neurotic on edge overwrought querulous restive ruffled sensitive shrinking snappish solicitous taut timorous troubled twitchy unrestful unstrung upset wired worried

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave calm certain collected composed confident cool easygoing extroverted fearless firm happy laid-back sufficient sure unafraid uncaring unwavering unworried

WEAK

unnervous

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.

The patient's mortified family immediately apologised but the damage had been done, Vicario says, and such experiences leave him feeling powerless, anxious and nervous.

From BBC • May 12, 2026

I am 68 and like the idea of having everything in one place for simplicity, but I am a bit nervous about keeping it all at a single brokerage.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

Goldman: We were nervous that people were gonna leave as soon as “Ocean’s” left, so we handed out pictures of Vince.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

I’ve never played guitar before onstage, and so I think a lot of that is me being nervous and wanting to keep rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

"And for goodness sake, stop twitching! You look like you're having a nervous breakdown."

From "Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher" by Bruce Coville

Vocabulary lists containing nervous

Emotions on Display

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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto

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Yikes! Synonyms for "Scared"

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