high-strung

[ hahy-struhng ]

adjective

1. at great tension; highly excitable or nervous; edgy:

   high-strung nerves; a high-strung person.

   Synonyms: uptight, jittery, edgy, jumpy, temperamental, tense

Word History and Origins

Origin of high-strung¹

First recorded in 1740–50

Example Sentences

He was “high-strung”—intensely neurotic—yet a charismatic personality nonetheless.

From The Daily Beast

He is high-strung and on edge, and his volatility practically sears the screen.

From The Daily Beast

The real Sean Parker (who I profiled for the September issue of Vanity Fair) is certainly high-strung.

From The Daily Beast

Henry acknowledged in her that great quality of the nervous temperament, the power of rising high-strung to an emergency.

From Project Gutenberg

Starbright was right in saying Dade Morgan was proud and high-strung.

From Project Gutenberg

High-strung and neurotic, the strain of newspaper work and the tumult of the Comstock had told on him.

From Project Gutenberg

We are even willing to believe that a high-strung, nervous girl may imagine herself to be the subject of miraculous influences.

From Project Gutenberg

But 'Liz'beth wan't no kind of a mother for such a high-strung lad.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• excitable
• restless