uptight

adjective

up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt How to pronounce uptight (audio)
(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt
Synonyms of uptightnext
1
a
: being tense, nervous, or uneasy
uptight overachievers
b
: angry, indignant
c
: rigidly conventional
an uptight conservative
2
: being in financial difficulties
uptightness
(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt-nəs How to pronounce uptight (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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Examples of uptight in a Sentence

If our flight is delayed, there's nothing we can do. There's no reason to get so uptight about it. I don't know why people are so uptight about sex.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mamie is a notable and unique character in The Gilded Age and history, remembered as a rule-breaker who kept the uptight society ladies on their toes. — Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 21 July 2025 Two of them—Bertha Russell on The Gilded Age and Gloria Burgle on Fargo—have earned her Emmy nominations, and that number seems likely to grow thanks to her delicious performance as Laurie, an uptight workaholic in the midst of a midlife crisis in The White Lotus season three. — Sam Reed, Glamour, 23 June 2025 In addition to all of the actors named above, Sherry Cola pops up as Sam’s work pal, Nadine, and Anna Chlumsky as Betsy’s uptight, passive-aggressive future sister-in-law, Virginia. — Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2025 This is no longer the uptight atmosphere where John Adams was angrily booed and where people noisily walked out as Zubin Mehta premiered major new works by Olivier Messiaen and Iannis Xenakis. — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for uptight

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of uptight was in 1934

Rhymes for uptight

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Browse Nearby Words

uptie
uptight
up till
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Cite this Entry

“Uptight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uptight. Accessed 13 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

uptight

adjective
up·​tight ˈəp-ˈtīt How to pronounce uptight (audio)
(ˌ)əp-ˈtīt,
ˌəp-ˌtīt
: being tense, nervous, or uneasy

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Nglish: Translation of uptight for Spanish Speakers

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