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.

“That certainly makes investors nervous, but it may stay low as long as inflation is the predominant risk to the market outlook.”

From MarketWatch • May 6, 2026

She laughs, she likes the video, and she’ll even leave comments on the video, but for some reason I’m nervous about this one.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

That is why Pack, who owns four stores in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is a little nervous right now.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Investors are nervous about high oil prices, geopolitical tensions, pesky inflation, interest rates, and just about everything else.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

Angela looked down at the table, and it occurred to Jonah that maybe she was nervous too.

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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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