jumpy
Easily startled, twitchy
Jumpy describes a state of nervous agitation where someone startles easily or can't sit still.
A jumpy person might flinch at sudden noises or seem unable to relax, often because they're anxious, overcaffeinated, or expecting something bad to happen.
I've been jumpy ever since I heard footsteps outside my window last night.
The word can also describe erratic movement, like a jumpy video feed that skips and stutters.
Unable to be still
- antsyRestlessly eager or nervous
- twitchyNervously prone to spasms
- squirmyInclined to wriggle
- wrigglyTwisting and turning constantly
agitated · restive · jittery · hyperactive · kinetic · animated · bouncy · frisky
Fearful of future events
- uneasyTroubled, not calm
- worriedTroubled by uncertainty
- fearfulFull of fright
- nervousUneasy and apprehensive
tense · panicky · on edge · nail-biting · trepidation · dread · distressed · alarmed
Frightened into alertness
- startledAbruptly surprised or alarmed
- flightyErratic and unreliable
- gun-shyFearful from past harm
- nervyBoldly presumptuous
squirrelly · scaredy-cat · flinchy · reactive · hypersensitive · hair-trigger · oversensitive · vigilant
Tense and irritable
- snappyQuick and clever
- testyShort-tempered, easily provoked
- touchyEasily upset or offended
- peevishHabitually fretful
fractious · irascible · short-tempered · impatient · high-strung · overstrung · prickly · crabby
restless
Unable to be still
wriggly · agitated · restive · jittery · hyperactive · kinetic · animated · bouncy · frisky · energetic
apprehensive
Fearful of future events
nervous · tense · panicky · on edge · nail-biting · trepidation · dread · distressed · alarmed · timid
spooked
Frightened into alertness
nervy · squirrelly · scaredy-cat · flinchy · reactive · hypersensitive · hair-trigger · oversensitive · vigilant · alert
edgy
Tense and irritable
peevish · fractious · irascible · short-tempered · impatient · high-strung · overstrung · prickly · crabby · grumpy
flinch
Involuntary retreat from threat
twitch · recoil · wince · spook · fright · scare · shock · surprise · alarm · shriek
- fearfear, dread, afraid, fright, frightened
- uneasyanxious, nervous, jittery, edgy, tense
- reactivereactive, excitable, volatile, high-strung, jittery
- Anxietyanxiety, nervousness, panic, worry, generalized anxiety
- suspiciondistrust, suspicion, mistrust, suspiciousness, doubt
- energy levelsenergetic, energized, hyped, exhausted, fatigued
jumpyunflappable
Impossible to disturb
laid-back · easygoing · imperturbable · nerveless · unshakable
jumpyconfident
Sure of oneself
self-assured · self-confident · unshakable · sure · secure
- jump ropeCord swung underfoot
- jump inEnter or participate suddenly
- jump in with both feetCommit wholeheartedly at once
- jump to conclusionsJudge before full understanding
- jumping-off pointInitial departure location
- jump onAttack or board hastily
jump, jumping, jumper, jumps, jumped, jumpers, jumpiness, jumpier, jumpiest