highly-strung
Tense and reactive
Highly-strung describes someone whose nerves are tightly wound—tense, easily agitated, and quick to react emotionally.
The image is of an instrument strung too tight, ready to snap: She's too highly-strung to handle criticism well.
The term applies especially to people or animals who startle easily or seem perpetually on edge.
Also spelled high-strung, particularly in American English.
Uneasy and apprehensive
- tenseStrained or nervous
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- edgyTense and irritable
- excitableEasily aroused emotionally
jittery · wound-up · on-edge · uptight · keyed-up · wired · overwrought · agitated
Of pure ancestral line
- racehorseEquine bred for speed
- spiritedFull of vim
- skittishProne to nervous fright
- flightyErratic and unreliable
nervous · excitable · temperamental · mettlesome · restive · fiery · frisky · unbroken
Easily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- reactiveTending to respond
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
- delicateEasily broken or harmed
oversensitive · hypersensitive · vulnerable · emotional · fragile · dramatic · defensive · prickly
nervous
Uneasy and apprehensive
excitable · jittery · wound-up · on-edge · uptight · keyed-up · wired · overwrought · agitated · restless
thoroughbred
Of pure ancestral line
flighty · nervous · excitable · temperamental · mettlesome · restive · fiery · frisky · unbroken · startled
touchy
Easily upset or offended
- thin-skinnedEasily hurt by remarks
- reactiveTending to respond
- temperamentalEasily upset, unpredictable
delicate · oversensitive · hypersensitive · vulnerable · emotional · fragile · dramatic · defensive · prickly · tetchy