as in excitable
easily excited by nature
a dog that tends to be high-strung is not the best pet for young children
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 high-strung
But the real shock here is Wilde, who not only knows how to keep viewers on the back foot as a filmmaker but slides into a neurotic register and off-kilter comic timing for her high-strung hostess that fit her like rubber glove.
—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2026
Angela, a high-strung perfectionist, spends the day meticulously preparing dinner and decorating the apartment for the impromptu gathering.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
The film follows Summer (McGraw), a high-strung teenager whose birthday getaway takes an unexpected turn when her free-spirited mom's new boyfriend joins the trip, who also happens to be her vice principal.
—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 June 2026
Who's ever going to complain about spending more time with high-strung Monica, nerdy Ross, emotional Rachel, spacey Phoebe, handsome Joey, or quip-ready Chandler?
—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
26 June 2026
Angela, a high-strung perfectionist, spends the day meticulously preparing dinner and decorating the apartment for the impromptu gathering.
—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2026
The film follows Summer (McGraw), a high-strung teenager whose birthday getaway takes an unexpected turn when her free-spirited mom's new boyfriend joins the trip, who also happens to be her vice principal.
—
Lily Brown,
PEOPLE,
16 June 2026
Carlton Preppy, high-strung, ambitious, sweater vest-wearing, Tom Jones-loving cousin to the Fresh Prince.
—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
9 June 2026
Who's ever going to complain about spending more time with high-strung Monica, nerdy Ross, emotional Rachel, spacey Phoebe, handsome Joey, or quip-ready Chandler?
—
Jordan Hoffman,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for high-strung
Adjective
-
The studio released the official trailer for the film on Thursday, showing Edgar-Jones as the formidable Elinor Dashwood; Esmé Creed-Miles as her excitable sister, Marianne; and Bodhi Rae Breathnach as their youngest sibling, Margaret.
-
The excitable kids had been instructed several times to give Bryce Young room.
Adjective
-
At Clis boutique in Melrose Park, owner Jeimmy Espina is nervous and overwhelmed by the number of dead and injured in her home country.
-
Apple head honchos are nervous about cybersecurity – and one reason might be a recent supply chain attack on supplier Tata, the largest Indian company of its kind to ink a partnership with the front-running American smartphone company.
Cite this Entry
“High-strung.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/high-strung. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
