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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective nervous contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of nervous are energetic, lusty, strenuous, and vigorous. While all these words mean "having or showing great vitality and force," nervous suggests especially the forcibleness and sustained effectiveness resulting from mental vigor.

full of nervous energy

When is energetic a more appropriate choice than nervous?

Although the words energetic and nervous have much in common, energetic suggests a capacity for intense activity.

an energetic campaigner

When might lusty be a better fit than nervous?

While in some cases nearly identical to nervous, lusty implies exuberant energy and capacity for enjoyment.

a lusty appetite for life

When is it sensible to use strenuous instead of nervous?

While the synonyms strenuous and nervous are close in meaning, strenuous suggests a preference for coping with the arduous or the challenging.

the strenuous life on an oil rig

When can vigorous be used instead of nervous?

The meanings of vigorous and nervous largely overlap; however, vigorous further implies showing no signs of depletion or diminishing of freshness or robustness.

as vigorous as a youth half his age

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 nervous Shohei Ohtani stood upright in the batter’s box and admired his work amid the nervous silence. Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 One part of the bill that makes some school districts nervous is the provision that allows charter schools to take over district-run schools and use the facilities rent-free. Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2025 The cuts and changes at the FDA have made companies nervous. Beth Mole, ArsTechnica, 2 Apr. 2025 This should get everyone nervous about this coming for the rest of the industry. Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 2 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nervous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervous
Adjective
  • The patient’s toe had been amputated because of an infection causing unbearable pain and Dr Shaik, a neurology resident overseeing her care was worried.
    Hansa Bhargava, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
  • As the Trump administration makes major cuts to federal health agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, some Alzheimer's experts are worried about research for the brain-impairing disease being halted, which could impact treatment options and the lives of patients and their families.
    Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Inflation, perhaps stiffened by tariffs, and uncertainty over the future of the labor market have left consumers feeling uneasy.
    DeArbea Walker, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
  • But the Armageddon-level stakes of unrest in the region should make anyone uneasy about mishaps.
    Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Charlotte leaned in next to her little brother only for excitable Louis to suddenly turn, accidentally leading to a clash of heads.
    Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Star is probably the most excitable person in the history of the show.
    Dalton Ross, EW.com, 27 Feb. 2025
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
Adjective
  • On March 15, 2025, the family experienced the tense moments of watching a tornado form nearby but were fortunate enough to escape the worst.
    Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
  • After three days of tense competition at the Regional Championships, the postseason field narrowed from 36 to 16.
    Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Some people find that drinking it on an empty stomach, such as before breakfast, can also lead to digestive upset or acid reflux.
    Sohaib Imtiaz, Verywell Health, 2 Apr. 2025
  • This resulted in the anonymous poster feeling guilty and upset.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Other times, Claude’s mental activity seems super disturbing and maybe even dangerous.
    Steven Levy, Wired News, 28 Mar. 2025
  • Just as disturbing and bizarre, at least one juror originally didn’t want to convict Zeigler at all and didn’t vote to do so until after that same judge ordered the bailiff to give her a Valium.
    Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Knights believes Riyadh is apprehensive about the Houthis retaliating with long-range drones and missiles against its infrastructure.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
  • In his first season during filming, Brown was a little apprehensive about being in front of the camera at first.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 29 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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