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.

In the Netflix film, Swan demonstrates with calipers on a life-size, anatomically correct male baby doll in a coffee shop to the nervous titters of the participants.

From Slate • Apr. 16, 2026

Smith is nervous that it won’t pay out if she needs something costly like a hospital stay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

"Farke will have been nervous about the fact that Leeds were going perilously close to relegation. This victory goes a long way to securing their Premier League status."

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

In addition, the market is nervous about private credit problems in the software sector and their impact on big banks and other financial stocks.

From Barron's • Apr. 13, 2026

The one time I did see him— when we all went to see the trains at the arboretum right before Christmas—I was so nervous I barely said a word.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

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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