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.

About 1 out of 10 people who develop severe West Nile virus disease affecting the brain and nervous system die.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2026

David Quayle, Williams' British hitting partner who helped her prepare for her return in the doubles at Queen's earlier in June, says it is "hard sometimes not to feel a little bit nervous" around Williams.

From BBC • Jun. 30, 2026

Investors are a little nervous in part because the deal isn’t for aggregates, a component in cement manufacturing.

From Barron's • Jun. 29, 2026

Vibe: The judge who married the couple remembered Presley being “so nervous he was almost bawling,” according to Peter Guralnick’s “Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

I took a deep breath and tried on a smile, which might have been a mistake because it made her look even more nervous.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin

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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