Synonyms for "anxious"

14 kid-friendly synonyms for anxious, sorted by grade level (K-2, 3-5, 6-8).

What does "anxious" mean?

The word anxious is an adjective that means: feeling worried and uneasy in your stomach.

Example: "I feel anxious before the show."

Grade K–2Easy synonyms for anxious

Younger kids can use these in place of "anxious":

Grade 3–5Stronger words for anxious

For elementary writers ready to add precision and variety to their vocabulary:

Grade 6–8Middle-school vocabulary for anxious

Tier 2 academic alternatives — useful for essays, persuasive writing, and standardized tests:

Opposites of anxious (antonyms)

Words that mean the opposite of anxious:

FAQ — synonyms for anxious

What is a good synonym for anxious in a kid's writing?
For K-2 writers, try scared. For older students, "nervous" reads more naturally in school writing.
How many synonyms does anxious have?
We list 14 grade-appropriate synonyms for anxious across three reading levels. Adults' thesauruses include dozens more, but most aren't useful for K-8 vocabulary.
Is anxious a noun, verb, or adjective?
In this entry, anxious is used as an adjective.

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