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

Yet despite how high-strung she could be for no good reason, Marnie was and is lovable.

From Salon

Mir, a high-strung anxious perfectionist, was written as more of the audience stand-in, the straight man.

From Los Angeles Times

“She has a palpable warmth,” Morrison writes, “and, like Michaels, has a knack for dealing with high-strung famous people.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excitable 
• restless