✅ Nosy means being overly interested in other people’s business (a nosy neighbor).

✅ Intrusive means involving yourself in something in an unwelcome way (an intrusive family member).

✅ Both of these words refer to involving yourself in other people’s lives.

✅ Nosy emphasizes being interested and wanting information, whereas intrusive emphasizes feeling entitled to information (He was nosy and always looking at my work; He would always ask intrusive questions).

✅ Spirited describes something that shows energy, vitality, or courage (a spirited debate about modern music).

✅ Animated describes something that shows energy and liveliness (She was always animated when discussing her cat).

✅ These words refer to things which show energy and force.

✅ Spirited emphasizes courage and strength, whereas animated emphasizes energy (an animated explanation; a spirited performance in the ring).

✅ Nervous describes being especially uneasy or apprehensive, particularly in an excessively excited way (He felt so nervous that he started pacing the room).

✅ Overwrought describes being extremely agitated, particularly in a frantic way (I took a break when I started feeling overwrought).

✅ These words both describe feeling agitated, uneasy, or apprehensive and may suggest feeling hysterical.

✅ Nervous suggests a direct cause of your feelings, whereas overwrought suggests a mood you might be in that makes events more difficult (I cry more easily when I’m overwrought; I’m nervous about the interview).