anxious

adjective

anx·ious | \ ˈaŋ(k)-shəs

Definition of anxious

1 : characterized by extreme uneasiness of mind or brooding fear about some contingency : worried anxious parents

2 : characterized by, resulting from, or causing anxiety : worrying They spent an anxious night.

3 : ardently or earnestly wishing She was anxious to learn more.

Other Words from anxious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager? More Example Sentences Learn More about anxious

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Choose the Right Synonym for anxious

eager, avid, keen, anxious, athirst mean moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest. eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint. eager to get started avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed. avid for new thrills keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action. keen on the latest fashions anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment. anxious not to make a social blunder athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action. athirst for adventure

Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

The fact that individual words can have multiple senses that are closely related in meaning is something which many people find objectionable about the English language. Anxious is an example of such a word, as people will use it to mean "worried," "eager (but with an undertone of worry)," and simply "eager."

The word has been used in the sense of "eager" for a considerable length of time, with evidence going back at least to the 17th century.

Examples of anxious in a Sentence

… to the eye anxious for reform in the city and forgetful of conditions in the countryside … — Joseph A. Amato, Dust, 2000 He was exhausted yet exhilarated, anxious … about getting on the ice with a team that had a chance to win. — Michael Farber, Sports Illustrated, 20 Mar. 2000 The individual states—fearful of losing industry and richer residents to lower-tax rivals and anxious to minimize their burden of needy citizens … — Atlantic, May 1997 He was so anxious to get a fly into the water that he had to reproach himself for haste. — John Cheever, The Wapshot Chronicle, 1957 She feels anxious and depressed. People are anxious about the future. He was anxious that the weather would not improve in time for the party. We experienced a few anxious moments as we waited to hear the results of the test. It was an anxious night as she waited for her children to come home. He was waiting at the door with an anxious expression on his face. He was anxious for more news.

Recent Examples on the Web

Doing so increases the number and proximity of other people, providing exposure to situations that can potentially make patients more anxious. — Simon Makin, Scientific American, "Can an Illusory World Help Treat Psychosis’s Real-World Delusions?," 2 Aug. 2019 So too for China, which is anxious about global warming and needs Brazilian agriculture to feed its livestock. — The Economist, "Deathwatch for the Amazon," 1 Aug. 2019 Is your child feeling anxious about going to the doctor? — courant.com, "Community News For The Farmington Valley Edition," 29 July 2019 Most are just anxious about being among the last to leave. — Elaine Ayala, ExpressNews.com, "A temporary migrant shelter was uncommonly temporary," 25 July 2019 Pet ownership is actually shown to benefit physical and mental health, as dog owners may live longer, have lower blood pressure and feel less anxious. — Maddie Burakoff, Smithsonian, "Keep Calm and Don’t Stress Out the Dog," 7 June 2019 Zinbarg explains that people who feel anxious but don’t have an anxiety disorder are generally able to at least partially calm their worries. — Natasha Lavender, SELF, "This Is the Difference Between Feeling Anxious and Having an Anxiety Disorder," 16 May 2019 As Masood got closer to the sea, Javed had felt increasingly anxious. — Matthew Wolfe, Harper's magazine, "Without a Trace," 10 Feb. 2019 The other party is even more anxious to complete the project that you're involved in together. — BostonGlobe.com, "Horoscope," 29 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anxious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for anxious

anxious

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of anxious

: afraid or nervous especially about what may happen : feeling anxiety

: causing or showing fear or nervousness

: wanting or eager to do or have something very much especially because of fear or nervousness

See the full definition for anxious in the English Language Learners Dictionary

anxious

Definition of anxious

Other Words from anxious

Synonyms & Antonyms for anxious

Choose the Right Synonym for anxious

Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

Examples of anxious in a Sentence

First Known Use of anxious

History and Etymology for anxious

English Language Learners Definition of anxious

anxious

Definition of anxious

Other Words from anxious

Synonyms & Antonyms for anxious

Choose the Right Synonym for anxious

Can anxious Be Used as a Synonym for eager?

Examples of anxious in a Sentence

First Known Use of anxious

History and Etymology for anxious

English Language Learners Definition of anxious

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