as in excitable
easily excited by nature
a dog that tends to be high-strung is not the best pet for young children
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Recent Examples of high-strung
Played with blistering sarcasm by Emily Blunt, the high-strung Runway magazine assistant had many of the most crackling one-liners in the original 2006 film.
—
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
In episode three, that perfect fit is Benito Skinner, who plays a high-strung costume designer named Carter who wears Valerie down with a visual and spiritual assault on caftans on the set of her new sitcom.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The scheme shocks their high-strung son Harold (Roberts), whose wife, Neha (Gill), is a local police officer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In each of these roles, O’Hara grounded these high-strung personas while deftly winking at the audience and letting them in on the joke, particularly in the films’ mock-interview segments.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Jan. 2026
The heavy, high-strung, high-stakes series is a must-watch.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
In episode three, that perfect fit is Benito Skinner, who plays a high-strung costume designer named Carter who wears Valerie down with a visual and spiritual assault on caftans on the set of her new sitcom.
—Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 9 Apr. 2026
The same is true of Sonny and Sal, his high-strung henchman.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 2 Apr. 2026
The scheme shocks their high-strung son Harold (Roberts), whose wife, Neha (Gill), is a local police officer.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 18 Feb. 2026
The combination of the car weighing less than 1,750 pounds, its slippery shape, and its high-strung engine, allows the 202 to nudge 105 mph.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 13 Feb. 2026
In each of these roles, O’Hara grounded these high-strung personas while deftly winking at the audience and letting them in on the joke, particularly in the films’ mock-interview segments.
—Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 19 Jan. 2026
The heavy, high-strung, high-stakes series is a must-watch.
—Kathleen Newman-Bremang, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-strung
Adjective
-
An unexpected collaboration opportunity is very possible under today’s trine between excitable Mars and erratic Uranus.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
8 Apr. 2026
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At the Ricardo residence in the ’50s sitcom I Love Lucy, over-the-top housewife Lucy and Ricky, her excitable husband, were always getting into some sort of entertaining hijinks.—
Michael Gioia,
Architectural Digest,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the draft room, Bisciotti looked nervous as the pick approached, worried another team — or even his own GM — might snag Randall.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Some nervous Democrats and their allies worry that language could thwart installation of a Democratic majority in the next Congress.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-strung. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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