Synonym Chooser

How is the word eager distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eager are anxious, athirst, avid, and keen. While all these words 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

When might anxious be a better fit than eager?

The words anxious and eager can be used in similar contexts, but anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

When can athirst be used instead of eager?

The synonyms athirst and eager are sometimes interchangeable, but athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

How are the words avid and eager related?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

Where would keen be a reasonable alternative to eager?

While in some cases nearly identical to eager, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

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 eager Taylor, a charming extrovert who can make anyone feel comfortable, is eager to help Avery find new friends and learn to flirt with women. Diya Chacko, Oc Register, 22 Apr. 2025 Beyonce fans eager to join the Cowboy Carter party in Los Angeles can still grab tickets on StubHub. Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Apr. 2025 The reality is that tomorrow is an unknown exactly because the U.S. is full of industrious individuals searching for intrepid investors eager to back the impossible that will make the energy present appear primitive relative to what will be. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025 The Rock, cocky, handsome, and eager to flaunt his wealth and status, facing Stone Cold, the vicious everyman who can’t stand figures of authority. Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eager
Adjective
  • Kolache fans headed to Florida's Gulf Coast shouldn't get too excited yet, though.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 21 Apr. 2025
  • His new kick-change has been a nice weapon against lefties and Taillon is excited about the pitch.
    Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Most people – even the most avid birders and aviculturists – have never seen nor even heard about these Neotropical parrots, and to the best of my knowledge, they are not kept in any zoo collections.
    GrrlScientist, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Comments As an avid shopper, my closet is often overflowing with clothes, which makes packing for trips a precarious experience.
    Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Eric Bailly was the most enthusiastic dancer, standing on the massage table giving it some and kicking pizza boxes.
    Andy Mitten, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Buehrle delighted a cold but enthusiastic crowd of 25,390 at the stadium during a 6-0 blanking of the Texas Rangers.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • How to know when your dog is agitated Identifying an anxious or aggressive dog can be tricky, as negative and positive emotional indicators can often be confused.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • The Fed chief said Wednesday the central bank can be patient while assessing data on inflation and employment, which are its dual mandates, while anxious consumers and businesses eye potentially prolonged economic instability.
    Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • In footage shared with Newsweek by Ring, the super smart pooch can be seen quite literally knocking on the door with his paw, evidently keen to be let back into the house.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Cricket administrators in Seattle had also been keen, despite not yet having built the requisite infrastructure for the Orcas, the city’s MLC side.
    Tristan Lavalette, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eager. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on eager

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