high-strung

American  

[hahy-struhng] / ˈhaɪˈstrʌŋ /

adjective

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

   high-strung nerves; a high-strung person.

   Synonyms:

   uptight, jittery, edgy, jumpy, temperamental, tense

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Etymology

Origin of high-strung

First recorded in 1740–50

Explanation

Someone who's high-strung is extremely nervous or overly sensitive. When your high-strung neighbor comes over for coffee, you may be tempted to secretly substitute decaf for regular. A high-strung dog will start trembling and shaking during a thunderstorm, and a high-strung horse is jittery and easily spooked by unfamiliar noises. You might even describe yourself as high-strung if you find it very hard to relax. Before high-strung was used in this figurative way, it was a musician's term. Today, a high-strung or "Nashville tuned" guitar is tuned an octave higher than normal, using finer guitar strings.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

high-strung

Tom is a law professor and his wife, Amy, is a frustrated and high-strung housewife.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 26, 2025

It’s a universe removed from his Emmy-nominated performance as the high-strung Chip in “The Morning Show” — but it’s a role he seems to relish.

From New York Times ● Nov. 29, 2024

In “Risky Business,” he was the high-strung pop of Cruise’s sneaky Joel Goodsen.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2024

“Who shall say how far the high-strung, nervous, active temperament of the American people is due to the noise with which they choose to surround their daily lives?” the author asked.

From Salon ● Sep. 12, 2024

Now that Penelope had returned, Margaret would spend the rest of this lovely day cleaning fireplace grates, sweeping carpets, and tending to the whims of her high-strung mistress whenever Lady Constance rang the bell.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• excitable
• restless