anxiously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "anxiously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of worry or unease about something that is about to happen or is currently happening. Example: "She waited anxiously for the results of her exam, her heart racing with anticipation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I anxiously await the new episode each Monday night.

The Guardian

Thoronka, while overjoyed about the support he has received and the money raised to help with his training, is in limbo while he anxiously awaits the Home Office decision about his asylum claim.

The Guardian

"Be careful mum,"says Sam anxiously, "Don't go too near the edge".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There were deafening cheers as the gay marriage bill passed its first parliamentary hurdle in the House of Commons last night from supporters squeezed into a committee room anxiously waiting the result.

The Guardian

Well, look around you, where else are you going to go?" He raps his knuckles anxiously on the table.

The Guardian - Film

It is something of which a large number of people in this country look anxiously for truth".

The Guardian

In the bible, Methuselah was the oldest man who ever lived, dying at the age of 969 just before Noah's flood – but in Canterbury he is a young man, looking slightly anxiously to one side and stroking his luxuriant curly beard.

The Guardian

Mark Warburton, Brentford's manager, might have come anxiously after the previous weekend, when Bournemouth's 4-0 win at Huddersfield saw the demise of the home manager, Mark Robins.

The Guardian - Sport

Several people were anxiously checking their tickets Thursday morning for would-be winners at the Little Egg Harbor store where one of the three tickets that matched all six numbers was sold.

The Guardian

Forrester analyst James McQuivey said: "Cable and satellite TV providers have anxiously eyed HBO ever since the company announced HBO Go.

The Guardian

For so long the division's best Basque team, now they're the division's worst, and they're looking anxiously at the relegation zone just five points away.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "anxiously" to describe a state of worry or unease combined with anticipation. It effectively conveys both the emotional state and the expectation of an event or outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "anxiously" when the situation involves purely positive anticipation without any underlying worry. Use "eagerly" or "excitedly" instead.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "anxiously" primarily functions to modify verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is carried out with a sense of worry, nervousness, or apprehension, as supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

The Economist

20%

The Guardian

16%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Books

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "anxiously" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed term used to describe actions performed with worry and anticipation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions primarily to modify verbs, adding a layer of emotional context. While suitable for various registers, it is most commonly found in news and media sources, reflecting its utility in describing real-world situations fraught with uncertainty. When using "anxiously", ensure the context involves a genuine sense of worry to avoid misapplication. Consider alternatives like "nervously" or "eagerly" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

worriedly

Directly conveys the state of being filled with worry or concern.

apprehensively

Focuses more on a feeling of dread or foreboding about a future event.

uneasily

Implies a general feeling of discomfort and apprehension.

nervously

Emphasizes a state of agitation or unease, often due to a specific trigger.

with trepidation

Emphasizes fear and apprehension about something that is going to happen.

eagerly

Highlights the positive anticipation and enthusiasm, contrasting with the worry in "anxiously".

on tenterhooks

Highlights a state of nervous anticipation and tension.

solicitously

Emphasizes concern and attentiveness, often directed towards someone else.

in suspense

Focuses on the state of uncertainty and anticipation, rather than the worry itself.

restlessly

Describes an inability to stay still or be at ease, often driven by anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "anxiously" in a sentence?

You can use "anxiously" to describe how someone performs an action with worry or nervousness. For example, "She waited "anxiously" for the test results" or "He tapped his foot "anxiously" during the meeting".

What's a synonym for "anxiously"?

Synonyms for "anxiously" include "nervously", "worriedly", "apprehensively", and "uneasily". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "I'm anxiously waiting"?

Yes, "I'm "anxiously" waiting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It expresses that you are waiting with a sense of worry or eagerness.

What's the difference between "anxiously" and "eagerly"?

"Anxiously" implies a mix of worry and anticipation, while "eagerly" focuses purely on positive anticipation and enthusiasm. You'd wait "anxiously" for test results but "eagerly" for a vacation.