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Definitions

on edge

ADJECTIVE
tense
Synonyms
WEAK
agitated anxious apprehensive beside oneself bundle of nerves edgy excited fidgety high-strung hyper impatient in a tizzy jittery jumpy nerve-racking nervous nervous wreck overanxious restless stressful unnerved uptight wired worried wound-up
ADVERB
feeling anxious
Synonyms
WEAK
anxious edgy fidgety high-strung hyper impatient in suspense jittery jumpy nail-biting nerves on edge nervous skittish uneasy wired

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.

The persistent problem, he said, had left him and his family, as well as his neighbours, "always on edge".

From BBC • May 28, 2026

Global markets are on edge Thursday after fresh strikes by the U.S. and Iran overnight.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

The positive note was a welcome development in a situation that has left much of Orange County on edge since Thursday.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2026

Most economists expect inflation to peak around 5.0% year-on-year in the second quarter, keeping the Reserve Bank of Australia on edge.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

And it doesn’t help that the whole school is tense and on edge.

From "Linked" by Gordon Korman

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