anxious
adjective
UK/ˈæn.kʃəs/US/ˈæn.kʃəs/
Eager or keen, often with a sense of impatience or urgency.
Example Sentences
She was anxious to start her new job and began preparing immediately.
The children were anxious for the holiday break to begin.
He was anxious to share his ideas with the team during the meeting.
They were anxious to see the new movie that had just been released.
She felt anxious about the upcoming wedding, wanting everything to be perfect.
The students were anxious for the summer vacation to start after the final exams.
He was anxious to prove his skills and worked tirelessly on the project.
Her anxious anticipation made her check her phone repeatedly for messages.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
A feeling of worry or unease about uncertain events.“Anxious” is an adjective describing a state of nervous apprehension or worry, often in anticipation of future events. People use it casually to express uneasy feelings before an exam (“I’m anxious about tomorrow’s test”) or when waiting for news (“I’m anxious to hear back about the job”). In more formal writing, “anxious” can address psychological contexts, such as clinical anxiety or heightened tension in narrative scenes. When you say someone “is anxious,” you highlight the tension and emotional discomfort they experience. This discomfort can range from mild worry to strong agitation, depending on the situation. For instance, if an assignment’s deadline is fast approaching, a student might become anxious about finishing on time. The intensity can increase when the stakes are higher, like waiting for medical test results or facing a life change. In practical use, pairing “anxious” with details helps clarify the cause—“anxious about meeting new clients,” “anxious for her kids to come home,” or “anxious because of sudden financial struggles.” These phrases detail the circumstance sparking the worry. You can also add adverbs like “very” or “extremely” to show intensification, e.g., “He was extremely anxious about his performance review.” Conversely, synonyms such as “uneasy,” “nervous,” or “apprehensive” can soften or vary the tone. Communication is essential for handling anxious feelings: people often benefit from voicing concerns to friends, family, or professionals. Activities like journaling, meditation, or light exercise can soothe the restlessness associated with anxiety. If anxious feelings escalate severely or linger for a long time, it may point to an anxiety disorder, warranting help from a counselor or psychologist. Overall, “anxious” highlights that worried mindset, underscoring both the emotional and sometimes physical tension behind apprehensive thoughts.
Alternatives
When searching for alternatives to “anxious,” consider “apprehensive,” which implies a cautious fear of possible trouble ahead. “Nervous” typically suggests jittery tension, often seen in everyday contexts—like feeling nervous before a presentation. For subtler unease, “uneasy” or “restless” can capture a milder sense of discomfort, while “agitated” portrays a higher level of emotional disturbance. If you need to convey a distinct blend of eagerness and worry—like when someone is anxious but also excited about future possibilities—“anticipatory” or “on edge” might apply. “Concerned” is another go-to word, polite and understated, indicating caring worry without intense distress. “Edgy” or “jumpy” suggests an almost physical reaction, hinting at heightened sensitivity to external triggers. By carefully selecting among these synonyms, you highlight the specific flavor and strength of worry, allowing for more nuanced descriptions. In formal or clinical writing, “apprehensive” or “anguished” may better suit discussions of mental health. Meanwhile, “skittish” or “fidgety” might be chosen for more casual contexts, implying mild or temporary nerves. Each word fine-tunes the listener’s or reader’s sense of the emotional weight and context behind the unease. Thus, picking the right option ensures your communication resonates accurately with the level of tension at hand.
Writing
When writing about someone feeling “anxious,” focus on showing both mental and physical dimensions of their experience. Mention the recurring thoughts or fears dominating their mind—like second-guessing decisions or worrying about mistakes. Simultaneously, detail physical cues: a racing heartbeat, an unsettled stomach, shaky hands, or restless pacing. This blend of psychological and sensory elements gives readers a clear sense of how anxiety manifests. To maintain narrative depth, reveal what triggers the character’s anxiety—perhaps a looming deadline, a significant life transition, or a painful memory surfacing. Incorporate internal monologue if you’re writing fiction, letting readers hear repetitive or intrusive thoughts. Dialogue between characters can also highlight tension: short, abrupt sentences or requests for reassurance clue the audience in on rising anxiety. Even how a setting is described—overly bright lights, loud noises, cramped spaces—can amplify anxiety’s presence in a scene. In expository or nonfiction writing, pair references to “anxious” feelings with supporting statistics or expert opinions for credibility. If you’re working on a research or journalism piece, citing recent studies on anxiety levels or mental health statistics strengthens your argument. Regardless of genre, clarity and authenticity in describing anxious states add emotional resonance, helping you educate, persuade, or build empathy among readers. By weaving in causes, symptoms, and possible coping strategies, you demonstrate a respectful, comprehensive approach, encouraging informed understanding or support for those facing anxiety.
Casual Conversation
In day-to-day talk, people often say, “I’m anxious about X,” where X can be anything from a new job interview to an upcoming confrontation with a friend. Friends may respond with empathy—“I’ve been there” or “That’s understandable”—showing solidarity. Simple reassurance like “You’ll do great!” can lighten the moment. Casual conversations also offer chances to share personal coping tactics: breathing exercises, listening to upbeat music, or taking a short walk. Sometimes, “anxious” is thrown around loosely: “I’m anxious to see what happens next in this TV show.” That usage blends impatience and excitement with mild worry over outcomes. Although some grammar purists dislike using “anxious” to mean “eager,” it’s become common in everyday speech. In texting or social media posts, “anxious” might get shorthand treatment: “Ugh, so anxious about tomorrow’s presentation!”—a brief confession seeking validation. Such admissions create supportive micro-communities where friends offer encouragement. A simple “Same here!” or “You got this!” fosters a sense of shared experience. While these casual chats may not resolve deeper anxiety, they normalize talking about mental states and can inspire someone to seek more comprehensive support if needed.
Etymology
“Anxious” traces back to the Latin “anxius,” which means “troubled, uneasy, distressed.” Rooted in “angere,” meaning “to choke or strangle,” the term historically captured how worry can feel constrictive, as if one’s mind or body is being squeezed. Medieval and Renaissance texts often equated anxiety with restlessness of the soul, tying it to spiritual doubts or existential dread. As modern psychology developed, “anxious” gained clearer medical and emotional connotations, marking it as a key descriptor for feelings of apprehension regarding uncertain futures or perceived threats. Today, “anxious” stands as one of the most recognized words for mild to severe worry, used across clinical discourse, self-help, and daily conversation. The origin underscores how deeply woven anxiety is into human experience: from ancient fears of survival to contemporary stresses of time management or social approval, anxiety’s essence remains that internal pressure demanding relief or resolution.
