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.

"I am still very, very nervous. I was nervous coming into this match," Andreeva said.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

“I remember walking on set and there was a pervasive nervous energy. But we could feel when we got it.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2026

The gut microbiome can produce compounds that influence inflammation, metabolism, and nervous system activity.

From Science Daily • May 31, 2026

As the day went on, we saw wild boar, red deer and a single nervous fox.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

By this time, I was getting a little bit on the nervous side.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

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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