as in anxiety
an uneasy state of mind usually over the possibility of an anticipated misfortune or trouble
your nervousness over your son's safety is only natural
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nervousness
Struijk’s error was punished, but nobody in white gave a good account of themselves during an opening period in which Daniel Farke admitted there was nervousness in his line-up.
—
Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Already, despite the president’s surface bravado, an undercurrent of nervousness had emerged.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Anxiety, fear and nervousness can all cause false positives in a polygraph test.
—Rupal Patel, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, when Orion hit the Earth's atmosphere and went radio silent for six minutes due to the interference from plasma during descent, there was some nervousness in Mission Control.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Diaz’s first reaction was nervousness and excitement.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
After a day of heavy explosions in multiple areas of the capital, a nervousness hung over its residents tonight.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Besides taking care of the physical state of the soldiers, Munin learned to spot nervousness or agitation among soldiers and to treat them while in battle.
—Mariia Yastreba, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Beren Cross, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Already, despite the president’s surface bravado, an undercurrent of nervousness had emerged.
—Jonathan Chait, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Anxiety, fear and nervousness can all cause false positives in a polygraph test.
—Rupal Patel, CNBC, 15 Apr. 2026
Still, when Orion hit the Earth's atmosphere and went radio silent for six minutes due to the interference from plasma during descent, there was some nervousness in Mission Control.
—Mike Wall, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2026
Diaz’s first reaction was nervousness and excitement.
—Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2026
After a day of heavy explosions in multiple areas of the capital, a nervousness hung over its residents tonight.
—Riane Lumer, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
Besides taking care of the physical state of the soldiers, Munin learned to spot nervousness or agitation among soldiers and to treat them while in battle.
—Mariia Yastreba, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
Their presence prompted nervousness among beachgoers and surfers sharing the water, but marveled researchers who were perplexed by the abnormally longer stay close to shore.
—Laylan Connelly, Oc Register, 27 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervousness
Noun
-
Incoming college freshmen are easy targets for people looking to profit from anxiety about loneliness, which the former US Surgeon General called an epidemic.—
Mary Frances Ruskell,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Maygen says Paisley has struggled with anxiety ever since being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at 2 years old.—
Nicki Cox,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Future Hall of Fame QBs are built to block out fear and bury doubt.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Prices surged overnight on worries that the war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Mae Anderson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
-
Wall Street’s strength followed manic swings in the oil market, where prices surged overnight on worries that the Iran war will affect the flow of crude for a long time.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The front office also faced growing concerns about whether Reese’s presence would deter the signing of returning veterans and key free agents the Sky had targeted.—
Kalen Lumpkins,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Mercury in your 2nd House of Values keeps practical concerns active.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In the messages read out in court, the gang leader’s growing unease with the technology is apparent.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
30 Apr. 2026
-
The speed of the map’s passage — and the circumstances surrounding it — have fueled outrage among Democrats and even unease within some Republican circles.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervousness. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
