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.

Blunt remembers the movie’s first table read viscerally, how nervous and afraid she was.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

"I'm very, very anxious. I'm nervous all the time," she said.

From BBC • Jun. 1, 2026

The study brings together several well-established biological processes, including iron metabolism and communication between the immune and nervous systems, to help explain how animals may detect magnetic fields.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

But voters remain nervous, and the ballot is still packed — along with the top three, former Rep. Katie Porter and San José Mayor Matt Mahan are still campaigning, though with falling support.

From Los Angeles Times • May 30, 2026

That done, he clapped his hands for quiet, and the nervous murmuring stopped instantly as all eyes turned to him.

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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