skittishness

noun

Definition of skittishnessnext
as in anxiety
a state of nervousness marked by sudden jerky movements because of the horse's skittishness and temperamental nature, only experienced riders should ride him

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Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for skittishness
  1. anxiety
  2. worry
  3. unease
  4. tension
Noun
  • Psychiatric problems — marked anxiety or panic attacks progressing to temporary psychosis and even schizophrenia-like psychotic illness — are presenting more frequently in emergency rooms.
    Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Climate Denial as a Defense Mechanism Much like a terror management lab experiment – or the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic– natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton trigger death anxiety.
    Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024
Definition of anxiety
Noun
  • Professor Ned Foley, the director of the election-law program at Ohio State University, told me that his biggest worry this year was a new deadline of December 16th.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Election seasons often evoke a mix of emotions, ranging from hope for the future to intense worry over what may come.
    Luciana Paulise, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of worry
Noun
  • Hanan Townshend’s score, with its heavy, rhythmic breathing and ethereal tones, cultivates a constant atmosphere of unease.
    Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Voters interviewed at polling sites described going to cast their ballots with a deep sense of unease.
    Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
Definition of unease
Noun
  • When tensions ratchet up, the two countries quickly mend fences.
    Sungmin Cho, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2024
  • Interest rates might edge down a bit more in the coming weeks, but many consumers and business owners could hold back borrowing if postelection tension and uncertainty revs up.
    Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 6 Nov. 2024
Definition of tension
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near skittishness

skittishly

skittishness

skive

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Skittishness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/skittishness. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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