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Definitions

on pins and needles

ADJECTIVE
antsy
Synonyms
WEAK
anxious edgy impatient restless
ADJECTIVE
concerned
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxious distressed disturbed troubled uneasy uptight
STRONG
bothered exercised perturbed upset
WEAK
biting one's nails butterflies in stomach in a stew tied up in knots worried sick
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected composed cool happy peaceful
WEAK
disinterested inattentive uncaring unconcerned undisturbed uninvolved unperturbed untroubled unworried
ADJECTIVE
fidgety
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apprehensive impatient jittery jumpy restless uneasy
WEAK
antsy high-strung hyper jerky nervous nervous wreck nervy on edge restive spooked spooky twitchy unrestful up the wall wired
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm composed easygoing laid-back
WEAK
quiet relaxed restful resting still unmoving
ADJECTIVE
ill at ease
Synonyms
WEAK
anxious apprehensive awkward discomfited disquieted disturbed doubtful edgy faltering fidgety hesitant insecure nervous on edge on tenterhooks out of place restless self-conscious shy suspicious tense uncomfortable uneasy unrelaxed unsettled unsure
Antonyms
WEAK
at ease comfortable content
ADJECTIVE
impatient
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxious eager irritable keen restless testy thirsty
WEAK
abrupt agog antsy appetent ardent athirst avid breathless brusque chafing choleric curt demanding dying to edgy feverish fretful hasty having short fuse headlong hot under collar hot-tempered impetuous indignant intolerant irascible itchy quick-tempered racing one's motor ripe snappy straining sudden unforbearing unindulgent vehement violent
Antonyms
STRONGEST
happy unconcerned unenthusiastic
WEAK
controlled easygoing enduring forbearing laid-back patient tolerant waiting willing
ADJECTIVE
jittery
Synonyms
STRONGEST
anxious apprehensive edgy excitable fidgety jumpy panicky restless shaky skittish spooked tense uneasy uptight
WEAK
antsy high-strung on edge quivering trembling
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm collected composed cool easygoing laid-back quiet relaxed unworried
ADJECTIVE
jumpy
Synonyms
STRONGEST
apprehensive creepy excitable fidgety frisky high-strung jittery restless shaky skittish spooked
WEAK
agitated antsy anxious excited on edge sensitive tense timorous unrestful
Antonyms
STRONGEST
calm easygoing laid-back quiet unworried
WEAK
collected composed
ADJECTIVE
unforbearing
Synonyms
WEAK
abrupt agog antsy anxious appetent ardent athirst avid breathless brusque chafing choleric curt demanding dying to eager edgy feverish fretful hasty having short fuse headlong hot under collar hot-tempered impetuous indignant intolerant irascible irritable itchy keen quick-tempered racing one's motor restless ripe snappy straining sudden testy thirsty unindulgent vehement violent
ADJECTIVE
worried
Synonyms
STRONG
bothered clutched concerned distracted distressed disturbed frightened perturbed tense tormented upset
WEAK
afraid apprehensive beside oneself distraught fearful fretful hung up ill at ease nervous on edge overwrought solicitous uneasy uptight worried stiff
Antonyms
STRONG
calm comforted happy relaxed uncaring undisturbed untroubled unworried

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.

"We're on pins and needles to see if Powell will say anything that suggests they will taper the size of rate increases going forward," Hogan said, referring to Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

From Reuters • Oct. 31, 2022

“I’ve not heard anything, honestly. I’m on pins and needles waiting.”

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2021

“You’re always on pins and needles in those situations,” Scherzer said.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 5, 2021

“I’m living on pins and needles because I can’t get answers from anybody,” he said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 4, 2021

He’s been on pins and needles lately, hoping the results of the experiment could land in Nature, one of the leading scientific journals in the world.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel