as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
he has a tendency to fret and get uptight whenever his usual routine is disrupted
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uptight
The same goes for Charli XCX who, in a Danielle Frankel slip and Vivienne Westwood corset dress, made the case for uptight brides to let go of their pursuit of perfection and just let loose.
—
Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Until, that is, Morgan is roped into the LAPD by Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) and paired with uptight detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata).
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Too uptight to refrain from checking email.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The protagonist, Nora Stephens, is a New York literary agent, and the antagonist, if that’s the correct word for the character who is clearly going to become the love interest, is an uptight book editor.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uptight
Emily Mercer, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2025
Until, that is, Morgan is roped into the LAPD by Selena Soto (Judy Reyes) and paired with uptight detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata).
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
Too uptight to refrain from checking email.
—Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
The protagonist, Nora Stephens, is a New York literary agent, and the antagonist, if that’s the correct word for the character who is clearly going to become the love interest, is an uptight book editor.
—Susan Coll
september 12, Literary Hub, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for uptight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uptight
Adjective
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Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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But Willie Brown, the former mayor and speaker was not worried that Newsom would overly burnish his own story in his book.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell actually didn’t have time to get nervous — or overthink his role — after learning freshman sensation Darryn Peterson would miss Monday’s game against Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
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Investors would understandably be nervous when both the CFO and the general counsel depart, according to Shivaram Rajgopal, an accounting professor at Columbia Business School.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Potatoes naturally contain glycoalkaloids, but sprouting and green coloring indicate an increase in these compounds and a higher risk of toxic effects like vomiting and stomach upset.—
Aly Walansky,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
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Anything that promises to ease an upset stomach will galvanize the internet into trying it immediately.—
Audrey Noble,
Vogue,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Fall-Off can sometimes feel simpatico and obvious, with mellifluously soulful tones that conjure an air of anxious nostalgia.—
Mosi Reeves,
Rolling Stone,
9 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, consumers appeared less anxious about inflation.—
Benzinga,
Freep.com,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Stage’s version translates the already uneasy feelings of hearing acid house reduced to happy-go-lucky plastic into something out of an actual acid trip.—
Billie Bugara,
Pitchfork,
7 Feb. 2026
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Bashar is on the left, his body slightly angled away, his face uneasy.—
Robert F. Worth,
The Atlantic,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has launched an investigation into Concierge Apartments, a troubled Rocky Hill complex where 200 units were condemned Friday by town officials.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
9 Feb. 2026
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Nanjiani got serious about the importance of directors making movies in a troubled world before dropping one more zinger.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Uptight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uptight. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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