on tenterhooks

ADJECTIVE

agog

Synonyms

WEAK

anxious avid breathless eager enthusiastic excited expectant impatient in suspense

ADJECTIVE

expectant

Synonyms

WEAK

alert anticipative anxious apprehensive awaiting breathless eager expecting hopeful hoping in suspense looking for on edge prepared raring ready vigilant waiting waiting on watchful with bated breath

ADJECTIVE

ill at ease

Synonyms

WEAK

anxious apprehensive awkward discomfited disquieted disturbed doubtful edgy faltering fidgety hesitant insecure nervous on edge on pins and needles out of place restless self-conscious shy suspicious tense uncomfortable uneasy unrelaxed unsettled unsure

Antonyms

WEAK

at ease comfortable content

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.

Is it why markets are rocking, why oil shipments are cut back from the Strait of Hormuz, why the world hangs on tenterhooks of suspense over what happens next?

From Slate • Mar. 4, 2026

For PSG, the fans will be on tenterhooks until the very end in their bid for a top-eight finish.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

As a way to find joy, she said, in a time when news and world events have us all on tenterhooks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

"We were on tenterhooks in the sale room, it just kept going and going, it was wonderful, truly wonderful," said Jennifer Tonkin of auctioneers Bonhams.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2025

For a while we were indignant because no one from the office came upstairs the entire morning; Mr. Kleiman left us on tenterhooks until eleven-thirty.

From "The Diary of a Young Girl" by Anne Frank

on tenterhooks

Example Sentences

Related Words