eager

adjective

ˈē-gər How to pronounce eager (audio)
Definition of eagernext
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest Tom was eager to try out his new pair of skis

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Smiles spread across their tired faces, and a few step forward, eager to have a conversation. — Kate Okorie, Christian Science Monitor, 8 Apr. 2025 Like Nolan, Dune filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is known for attracting the world’s top talent eager for a chance to work with the director. — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2025 With rising incomes, a booming domestic travel sector and a government eager to improve the country’s tourism infrastructure, India is commanding unprecedented attention from the world’s most prominent hotel brands. — Ronak D. Desai, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 With big corporations eager to provide visible financial support to the LGBTQ+ community, these celebrations have become bigger, flashier and emblazoned with company logos. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for eager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eager
  1. excited
  2. avid
  3. enthusiastic
  4. anxious
  5. keen
Adjective
  • Julianne being available and excited, wanting to come and play in the sandbox; James, similarly.
    — EW Staff, EW.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • So, when the opportunity to visit Tanzania arose, I was intrigued and excited to embark on this journey.
    — Ronny Maye, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • Outside of the office, Mr. Ratcliffe enjoys being home with his family, is an avid gardener, and enjoys playing with his three children and three dogs.
    — Chris Gallagher, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2025
  • Wang, an avid adventurer who has visited the Arctic and Antarctica on land, paid an undisclosed amount for the trip.
    — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of avid
Adjective
  • By 2018, the enthusiastic response led to Girl + Hair’s inclusion in the Target Takeoff Program, which helps up-and-coming brands scale their products to the next level.
    — Kizzy Cox, Essence, 7 Apr. 2025
  • In the auditorium in the Fertitta Hall basement, the biggest star of all is the eternally youthful, irrepressibly enthusiastic Carroll, 73, hired in January as new coach of the Las Vegas Raiders.
    — Austin Knoblauch, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • Friday, a government report showed that the U.S. labor market held up better than expected in March despite the federal government’s layoffs, the crackdown on immigrants, and surveys showing that consumers and businesses are increasingly anxious about the economy.
    — Josh Fellman, Quartz, 4 Apr. 2025
  • Not that Wendlinger is anxious for her time with the Mustangs to end.
    — Michael Osipoff, Chicago Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • At the time, Jase said his father was keen to return to work.
    — Erin Clack, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025
  • She’s been especially keen on animal print, from her leopard tote bag to her zebra Fendi backpack.
    — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of keen

Phrases Containing eager

Browse Nearby Words

each and everyone
eager
eager beaver
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Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eager. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

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