on tenterhooks

ADJECTIVE

agog

Synonyms

WEAK

anxious avid breathless eager enthusiastic excited expectant impatient in suspense

ADJECTIVE

expectant

Synonyms

WEAK

alert anticipative anxious apprehensive awaiting breathless eager expecting hopeful hoping in suspense looking for on edge prepared raring ready vigilant waiting waiting on watchful with bated breath

ADJECTIVE

ill at ease

Synonyms

WEAK

anxious apprehensive awkward discomfited disquieted disturbed doubtful edgy faltering fidgety hesitant insecure nervous on edge on pins and needles out of place restless self-conscious shy suspicious tense uncomfortable uneasy unrelaxed unsettled unsure

Antonyms

WEAK

at ease comfortable content

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.

So as not to keep you on tenterhooks, “CIA” gets you most of the way there by the end of the first hour.

From Los Angeles Times

Murase said she felt "immense joy" at her gold but admitted she had been on tenterhooks until her final run.

From Barron's

"We're on tenterhooks," she added.

From BBC

For PSG, the fans will be on tenterhooks until the very end in their bid for a top-eight finish.

From Barron's

The turn of the New Year came with a new series of The Traitors and to no surprise, plot twists are leaving viewers on tenterhooks.

From BBC