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

Investors nervous about geopolitical risk might also take shelter in healthcare.

From Barron's • May 6, 2026

WSJ: A lack of inventory had been a big problem before the company filed for bankruptcy as nervous suppliers withheld shipments.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

He pulled the neck of his T-shirt, which he’d been sucking on in the way he sometimes did when he felt nervous, out of his mouth.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold

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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