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
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
There is a little bit of nervousness about what if the war continues for too long.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
There was plenty of nervousness surrounding Knight Nation over the past few weeks.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Ridley, meanwhile, had to deal with more than just nervousness before the game.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
There's a nervousness underneath.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
There was no weird nervousness.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Treasury yields often fall when nervousness is high and investors are moving into investments that are considered safer.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
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
There is a little bit of nervousness about what if the war continues for too long.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
There was plenty of nervousness surrounding Knight Nation over the past few weeks.
—Matt Murschel, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Mar. 2026
Ridley, meanwhile, had to deal with more than just nervousness before the game.
—Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
There's a nervousness underneath.
—Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 13 Mar. 2026
There was no weird nervousness.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 27 Feb. 2026
Treasury yields often fall when nervousness is high and investors are moving into investments that are considered safer.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervousness
Noun
-
Amid record anxiety about the future of work—and growing warnings about the potential erosion of white-collar careers—one unlikely field may be getting the last laugh.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Drone use is heavily limited by battery anxiety, but without a battery the use cases really open up.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 05,
New Atlas,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her work plainly belongs to this lineage of witchy writers, women whose deliciously corrupted scenes of home and hearth produce fear and wild laughter at once.—
Kristen Roupenian,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
This new strategy recognized that neighborhood fear is not just driven by crimes; it is also driven by neighborhood disorder.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Some of Bondi's allies believe that the lack of prosecutions is attributable to Blanche, who has not pushed them too hard amid political concerns and worries about his future after his Justice Department career.—
Sarah N. Lynch,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The electric carmaker last week reported its first decline in annual profit since 2022, but worries over rising gasoline prices has boosted its business.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Clicking into the title will give you even more information, including a blurb about what parents need to know, a breakdown of potential concerns and positive qualities about the book, and reviews from kids.—
Cody Godwin,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Gables leaders have raised concerns during city meetings about the potential impact.—
Michelle Marchante,
Miami Herald,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But that same inspiration has sometimes drawn questions — and unease — from potential buyers.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
3 Apr. 2026
-
But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot.—
Ryan Brennan
April 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervousness. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
