as in worried
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
he has a tendency to fret and get uptight whenever his usual routine is disrupted
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of uptight
Jesse Eisenberg — who wrote, directed, and stars opposite Culkin — is the ostensible protagonist David, Benji’s uptight, socially awkward cousin who envies and pities him in equal measure, but A Real Pain is Culkin’s showcase.
—
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
Though Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim’s TSA security guards played hosts of the pageant, Short also appeared as the uptight Delta Lounge employee, preventing figures such as Rudd from entering.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2024
Her ex-husband and current bestie, Mark (Joe Piazza), is planning a Christmas wedding to an uptight fiancé who may demote Jane from BFF status.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
His Benji is the filter-free, flaky polar opposite of his uptight cousin David, played by writer-director Jesse Eisenberg, and the odd-couple dynamic of their early scenes is hilariously spiky.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for uptight 
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2024
Though Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim’s TSA security guards played hosts of the pageant, Short also appeared as the uptight Delta Lounge employee, preventing figures such as Rudd from entering.
—Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 22 Dec. 2024
Her ex-husband and current bestie, Mark (Joe Piazza), is planning a Christmas wedding to an uptight fiancé who may demote Jane from BFF status.
—Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2024
His Benji is the filter-free, flaky polar opposite of his uptight cousin David, played by writer-director Jesse Eisenberg, and the odd-couple dynamic of their early scenes is hilariously spiky.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for uptight
Recent Examples of Synonyms for uptight
Adjective
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A number of men and women on Mitchell’s team were worried about their health and safety, the lawsuit says, so Mitchell raised the issue during the training sessions.—
Jessica Gelt,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
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In the meantime, state and city health departments are worried about how the communications pause might affect their communities.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA TODAY,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Some parents are nervous to send their kids back to the center, given the air quality concerns and its proximity to the burn area.—
Kate Sequeira,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Jan. 2025
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Ellie is nervous, and so naturally, her dead lesbian aunt manifests as an unwanted spiritual gay guide.—
Sadie Collins,
Them,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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In the courtside footage, the mom — who was holding one child’s hand and had another kid on her hip — becomes visibly upset, stepping forward and moving very close to the principal.—
Bailey Richards,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
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Notre Dame must either score on defense or special teams to pull off the upset or at least set up Leonard with a short field.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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For example, someone not willing to open up to you about certain aspects of their personal life can be interpreted as personal rejection, which may trigger defensive or anxious behaviors.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes,
24 Jan. 2025
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More than a few have faced foreclosure, leaving owners anxious about the need to get tenants back in their buildings or find another use for the millions of unused square feet.—
Roger Vincent,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Add Vargas to the long list of Americans who have been uneasy about TikTok’s future.—
Jeff Gluck,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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For all of their uneasy gazing and silent discernment, artful visages are a key element in the decor.—
Leilani Marie Labong,
Architectural Digest,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Torn between chasing her dream and protecting her troubled brother, Suado must confront the price this unwarranted success has.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
31 Jan. 2025
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The big picture: Logistics facilities remain positive outliers within the troubled commercial real estate sector.—
Dan Primack,
Axios,
30 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near uptight
Cite this Entry
“Uptight.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/uptight. Accessed 3 Feb. 2025.
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