as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
it won't do you any good to get all het up before the tryouts and lose sleep
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 het up
As for the airport tray aesthetic, while people might be getting het up at the idea of Gen Z holding up the line for some navel-gazing, the US Transport Security Administration is sanguine about the risk.
—
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 8 Sep. 2024
So why has the Chanel version gotten people so het up?
—New York Times, 6 Dec. 2021
Something about unfolding Bennifer events, this rekindling of an old flame, has got all of us het up.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 16 June 2021
In a normal December, people would be more concerned with the holidays and a busy schedule and wouldn't get this het up with Congress.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Dec. 2020
Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 8 Sep. 2024
So why has the Chanel version gotten people so het up?
—New York Times, 6 Dec. 2021
Something about unfolding Bennifer events, this rekindling of an old flame, has got all of us het up.
—Raven Smith, Vogue, 16 June 2021
In a normal December, people would be more concerned with the holidays and a busy schedule and wouldn't get this het up with Congress.
—Arkansas Online, 28 Dec. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for het up
Adjective
-
But if anything, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell sounded more worried about the upside risk of inflation in the aftermath of Operation Epic Fury.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
20 Mar. 2026
-
That uncertainty is why economists are increasingly worried that companies may pause their hiring plans and consumers may rein in spending.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Tewksbury looks to avenge both the loss to Canton earlier, and an upset state final loss to Boston Latin in 2024.—
Tom Mulherin,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Watching the Chinese Taipei team in tears after an upset win against Korea, and the Japanese fans embracing Czechia’s every grain of success — the moments that made Pool C special were with teams actively growing the game in their country through those brick-by-brick means.—
Maria Torres,
New York Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Over a week, readers were treated to a raft of anxious baby content.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Tokyo is also becoming increasingly anxious about Chinese missiles targeting Japanese bases.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
With companies pulling out because of trade uncertainty, workers are nervous about organizing, knowing that any friction risks further factory closures that could trigger more layoffs.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Mar. 2026
-
There was a beat of nervous confusion as Palmer declined his advances.—
Deborah Sengupta Stith,
Austin American Statesman,
17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Of course, no guest wants to dine at the home of a host whose off-putting etiquette makes everyone feel ill at ease either.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Both were a byword, too, for male beauty, fully alive to the almost laughable impact of their handsomeness, yet ill at ease, now and then, with their perches on the pedestal.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
That included independent courts, an anti-monopoly agency to ensure fair competition, and strong regulation to keep troubled banks from choking off credit.—
Claudia Ciobanu,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Attempting to escape her troubled past, Millie (Sweeney) takes a job as a live-in housemaid for the wealthy Nina Winchester (Seyfried).—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Shadow of Turkmenchay The uneasy relationship between the two powers stretches back nearly two centuries.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Residents who attended the rally said the situation has left many neighbors uneasy.—
Ross DiMattei,
CBS News,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Het up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/het%20up. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
