anxious

adjective

1)

her fever has us all a little anxious

Syn:

worried, concerned, uneasy, apprehensive, fearful, perturbed, troubled, bothered, disturbed, distressed, disquieted, fretful, agitated, nervous, edgy, antsy, unquiet, on edge, tense, overwrought, worked up, keyed up, jumpy, worried sick, with one's stomach in knots, with one's heart in one's mouth; informal uptight, on tenterhooks, with butterflies in one's stomach, jittery, twitchy, in a dither, in a lather, in a tizzy, het up; strung out, having kittens; antsy, spooked, squirrelly

Ant:

carefree, unconcerned

2)

she was anxious for news

Syn:

eager, keen, desirous, impatient

••

anxious

The word anxious has a range of meaning. As the adjective corresponding to anxiety, it has long meant "uneasy, disquieted." In the most unimpeachable uses, the word stays close to that association — e.g.: "The latest holdup is the EPA's final approval of the companies’ plans to test for lead at the 150 homes … . Some residents are getting anxious." (Atlanta Journal Constitution; Sept. 13, 2002.)

Today the word typically encompasses both worry and anticipation — e.g.: "Creator and anchorman Brian Lamb, the prince of un-chic, tirelessly fields the remarks of obnoxious callers, preening journalists, and anxious authors." (National Review; Mar. 24, 1997.)

The word carries a sense of expectation, as when discussing a major life change. But when no sense of uneasiness is attached to the situation, anxious isn't the best word. In those instances, it displaces a word that might traditionally have been considered its opposite — namely, eager — e.g.: "Three years ago, the Latin music industry was caught up in crossover mania, anxious [read eager] to ride the popularity of singers such as Ricky Martin and Enrique Iglesias by selling their English-language albums to the American mainstream." (Sun-Sentinel [Fort Lauderdale]; Sept. 13, 2002.) — BG