antsy

adjective

ant·​sy ˈant-sē How to pronounce antsy (audio)
1
informal : restless, fidgety
antsy children
also : impatient, eager
antsy for a new challenge
2
informal : nervous, apprehensive
antsy investors

Examples of antsy in a Sentence

he was feeling understandably antsy about the tax audit after a few minutes in the formal restaurant, the kids got antsy
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Yet, fans of those sorts of films might get antsy, waiting for the action to really heat up. Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 9 Apr. 2025 Conversely, some business leaders are antsy that O'Connell hasn't been more aggressive in pursuing economic development projects like the fairgrounds racetrack. Nate Rau, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025 Alabama aiming for more Alabama fans were no doubt antsy when the Crimson Tide finished Year 1 under Kalen DeBoer with a 9-4 record — the first time since 2007 that the program failed to win at least 10 games. Grace Raynor, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025 But in the venue’s packed lobby, which had been repurposed as an overflow room with television screens set up for roughly 150 finance types, the mood was a bit antsy. Rob Copeland, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for antsy

Word History

Etymology

see ant entry 1

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of antsy was in 1950

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Antsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antsy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

antsy

adjective
ant·​sy ˈant-sē How to pronounce antsy (audio)
informal
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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