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.

A year after finally completing golf’s grand slam, Rory McIlroy was pleased to know he was still feeling a bit nervous as he teed off at the Masters.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains largely frozen, while supply disruptions keep markets nervous.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Because so many dogs are afraid of fireworks or going on car rides, videos of those experiences could help nervous dogs to work through those fears, Lubeach says.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

"Everybody on the shipping side is obviously nervous," Lloyd's List editor-in-chief Richard Meade told AFP.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

But she said she was nothing but a nervous spinster, and she didn’t think marriage would calm her.

From "The Teacher’s Funeral" by Richard Peck

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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