Definitions

butterflies

ADJECTIVE

anxious

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid apprehensive careful concerned distressed fearful fidgety jittery nervous restless scared uneasy uptight

WEAK

aghast antsy basket case bugged choked clutched disquieted disturbed dreading fretful hacked hyper in a state in a tizzy in suspense jumpy nervy overwrought shaking shaky shivery shook-up shot to pieces solicitous spooked strung-out sweating bullets taut troubled unglued unquiet watchful wired worried sick wreck

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave calm collected composed confident cool courageous happy inattentive quiet unafraid unconcerned unfearful unworried

WEAK

assured content indifferent peaceful tranqil unwilling

ADJECTIVE

apprehensive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid concerned doubtful jittery jumpy suspicious uncertain uneasy uptight

WEAK

alarmed biting nails disquieted feel in bones foreboding frozen get vibes have a hunch have cold feet have funny feeling have stage fright hung up in a cold sweat in a dither in a sweat lily-livered mistrustful running scared shaky stiff troubled weak worried worried sick

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm certain clear collected composed confident cool definite easygoing happy laid-back sure unquestionable

WEAK

at ease quiet unafraid undoubting unfearful unsuspicious unworried

ADJECTIVE

frightened

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afraid anxious fearful panicky spooked startled unnerved

STRONG

abashed affrighted alarmed cowed dismayed frozen numb petrified terrified terrorized yellow

WEAK

aghast chicken chicken-hearted have cold feet having kittens hung up in a cold sweat in a panic in a sweat jittery jumpy lily-livered mousy pushing the panic button rabbity running scared scared stiff shaky shivery sissy terror-stricken uptight

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bold brave cool courageous happy unafraid

WEAK

calm comforted

NOUN

anxiety

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst apprehension concern disquiet doubt dread jitters misery misgiving mistrust nervousness panic restlessness suffering suspense trouble uncertainty unease uneasiness

STRONG

botheration care creeps disquietude distress downer drag fidgets flap foreboding fretfulness fuss heebie-jeebies jumps needles shakes shivers solicitude sweat watchfulness willies worriment

WEAK

all-overs ants in pants cold sweat goose bumps nail-biting pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

advantage belief blessing calm calmness certainty collectedness confidence contentment ease faith happiness joy peace security sureness trust

STRONG

peacefulness

WEAK

assurance composure nonchalance tranquility

NOUN

jitters

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anger stage fright tension turbulence uneasiness worry

STRONG

agitation animation creeps delirium discomfiture disquiet disquietude dithers excitability feverishness fidget fidgets flap fluster fuss impatience jump jumps moodiness neurasthenia neuroticism perturbation quivers sensitivity shakes shiver stimulation stress timidity tizzy to-do touchiness tremble trembles willies

WEAK

all-overs cold sweat tremulousness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calmness peace

STRONG

calm discouragement ease

NOUN

nervousness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

agitation anger disquiet impatience jitters sensitivity stage fright stress tension turbulence uneasiness worry

STRONG

animation creeps delirium discomfiture disquietude dithers excitability feverishness fidgets flap fluster fuss jumps moodiness neurasthenia neuroticism perturbation quivers shakes stimulation timidity tizzy to-do touchiness trembles willies

WEAK

all-overs cold sweat tremulousness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm calmness ease peace relaxation

STRONG

discouragement

WEAK

collectedness

NOUN

stage fright

Synonyms

WEAK

aphonia aphonia clericorum aphonia paralytica aphonia paranoica bashfulness buck fever flop sweat freeze hysterical aphonia loss of speech mike fright mutism spastic aphonia

NOUN

trepidation

Synonyms

STRONGEST

alarm apprehension consternation dismay disquiet dread excitement fright horror jitters nervousness panic terror uneasiness

STRONG

agitation creeps disturbance emotion fear palpitation perturbation shock worriment

WEAK

blue funk cold feet cold sweat goose bumps trepidity

Antonyms

STRONGEST

assurance beauty calm calmness collectedness composure confidence ease encouragement happiness peace security

WEAK

contentment

NOUN

unease

Synonyms

STRONGEST

angst apprehension disquiet doubt dread foreboding jitters misgiving mistrust nervousness panic restlessness uncertainty uneasiness worry

STRONG

anxiousness botheration care concern creeps disquietude distress downer drag fidgets flap fretfulness fuss heebie-jeebies jumps misery needles shakes shivers solicitude suffering suspense sweat trouble watchfulness willies worriment

WEAK

all-overs ants in pants cold sweat goose bumps nail-biting pins and needles

Antonyms

STRONGEST

belief calm calmness certainty collectedness confidence ease faith security sureness trust

STRONG

advantage benefit blessing happiness health joy peace peacefulness pleasure

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.

While Nereyda felt the familiar butterflies about what the next day might bring, AB focused on what mattered to her.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

A hundred blue butterflies have been released in Stratford-upon-Avon to mark Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

According to the Rainforest Alliance, the blue morpho is among the largest butterflies in the world, with wings spanning from five to eight inches.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

His Turner Endangered Species Fund, launched in June 1997, has worked to save gopher tortoises, monarch butterflies and leopard frogs, working mainly with private landowners.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

Akira Kristiansen stood behind the curtain, trying to calm the butterflies in her stomach.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

butterflies

Example Sentences

Related Words