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 trend has emerged of people booking their holidays late, because they're nervous about the impact the Middle East conflict could have on the future availability of jet fuel.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Choline is already known to be important for the brain and nervous system, and many people in the United States do not get the recommended daily amount.

From Science Daily • May 16, 2026

Latvia, like the other two Baltic countries Lithuania and Estonia, feels increasingly nervous about potential Russian aggression.

From BBC • May 14, 2026

Performed in rotation with “New Born” is Tom Noonan’s “What Happened Was . . . ,” a 1992 two-hander, also directed by Mr. Rickson, about a nervous date night.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Breaking the rules made Danny nervous, but he told himself they weren’t there to hurt the ruins.

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Vocabulary lists containing nervous

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"Seventh Grade" by Gary Soto

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Yikes! Synonyms for "Scared"

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