anxiously
Americanadverb
-
in an uneasy or worried manner.
My first call was to my wife, who had been anxiously awaiting word of my whereabouts.
-
in an earnestly desirous or eager manner.
They are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of anxiously
Vocabulary lists containing anxiously
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
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Spelling Practice, Unit 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As David and Ally anxiously await the verdict of the trial, one key question remains unanswered - what will happen to Marcus and the other babies.
From BBC • Jul. 8, 2026
As ambulances pulled in and out of Domingo Luciani Hospital in eastern Caracas, loved ones anxiously checked long lists of names posted on the wall of quake victims who had been admitted to the facility.
From Barron's • Jun. 25, 2026
Technology stocks tumbled on Tuesday, extending a swoon that began in early June, as investors anxiously await the historic SpaceX IPO later this week and retreat from hot parts of the artificial-intelligence playbook.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
Technology stocks tumbled on Tuesday, extending a swoon that began in early June, as investors anxiously await the historic SpaceX IPO later this week and retreat from hot parts of the AI playbook.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
“Woe and sadness!” the creature wailed, loping anxiously to Taran.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
