Another Word for Anxious

Mild · A little, in the background

uneasy

Something feels a little off, and you cannot settle.

on edge

You are braced and alert, waiting for something to happen.

jittery

Shaky, buzzy energy, often after coffee or before an event.

butterflies

Fluttery nerves mixed with a bit of excitement.

fidgety

Your anxiety comes out through your hands and feet.

keyed up

Wound tight ahead of something important.

antsy

Casual word for impatient, restless nerves.

Moderate · Clearly there, hard to ignore

nervous

Worry tied to a specific upcoming moment.

apprehensive

Anxious about what might happen next.

worried

Your mind keeps returning to a problem.

tense

Anxiety that lives in tight shoulders and a clenched jaw.

wired

Tired but unable to switch off.

frazzled

Anxious and worn thin from too many demands at once.

stressed out

Everyday phrase for anxious under pressure.

fretful

Restless worry that keeps circling back.

Intense · Strong, taking over

panicky

Anxiety rising fast, with a racing heart or short breath.

frantic

So anxious your actions become rushed and scattered.

overwrought

Emotionally overloaded by worry for a long stretch.

terrified

Anxiety that has become full fear of a specific outcome.

spiraling

One worry feeds the next and you cannot stop it.

beside yourself

Informal, anxious to the point of losing composure.

petrified

So frightened you freeze instead of act.

I feel anxious about my presentation.

I am keyed up about my presentation and keep rehearsing the opening.

I have been anxious all week.

I have been on edge all week, waiting for the email from HR.

I am anxious about the flight.

I am apprehensive about the flight because of the storm forecast.

I got anxious in the crowd.

I got panicky in the crowd and had to step outside.

Work makes me anxious.

Work leaves me frazzled by Thursday.