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.

Walcott said he noticed a "nervous energy" on the touchline at St Mary's that has been seen before in recent years.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

“If this kind of pull back really made you nervous, you’re probably carrying too much risk,” Sosnick said.

From Barron's • Apr. 4, 2026

I was more nervous about opening up my medical records to a chatbot than getting my arm pricked.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

These are nervous times unless, as suggested here, you invest in inflation-protected Treasury bonds, or TIPS, which give you some cushion against the risks of inflation.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

He pulled the neck of his T-shirt, which he’d been sucking on in the way he sometimes did when he felt nervous, out of his mouth.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

nervous

Example Sentences

Related Words