eager

adjective

ˈē-gər How to pronounce eager (audio)
Definition of eagernext
as in excited
showing urgent desire or interest Tom was eager to try out his new pair of skis

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word eager distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of eager are anxious, athirst, avid, and keen. While all these words mean "moved by a strong and urgent desire or interest," eager implies ardor and enthusiasm and sometimes impatience at delay or restraint.

eager to get started

When might anxious be a better fit than eager?

The words anxious and eager can be used in similar contexts, but anxious emphasizes fear of frustration or failure or disappointment.

anxious not to make a social blunder

When can athirst be used instead of eager?

The synonyms athirst and eager are sometimes interchangeable, but athirst stresses yearning but not necessarily readiness for action.

athirst for adventure

How are the words avid and eager related?

Avid adds to eager the implication of insatiability or greed.

avid for new thrills

Where would keen be a reasonable alternative to eager?

While in some cases nearly identical to eager, keen suggests intensity of interest and quick responsiveness in action.

keen on the latest fashions

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of eager Republicans are eager to keep their majorities in the Legislature, and to win back control of the governor's office. — Clay Masters, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026 The Wongs interacted with customers on Sunday during the eatery’s bittersweet final day, as diners were eager for one last plate of pancakes or country fried steak. — Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026 That has spurred a broadening of the types of marketers eager to support sports. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026 The first week of school can rattle even the most eager kids, and teachers say back-to-school anxiety often shows up in small, telling ways at drop-off, at pickup and at the dinner table. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for eager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for eager
  1. excited
  2. enthusiastic
  3. avid
  4. anxious
  5. keen
Adjective
  • One player Nakase is excited to work with is someone her team was prepared to face on Friday night – Dallas star guard Paige Bueckers.
    — Marisa Ingemi, Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This will also be its first year since 2024, when Latino Fest returned after a five-year break to excited crowds.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of excited
Adjective
  • After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • However, international observers fear that the deal, which Iran is uncharacteristically enthusiastic about, could concede to Tehran unprecedented authority to charge for transit through the strait.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Adjective
  • Her relationship with her boyfriend Ben (who happens to be an avid outdoorsman) has led her to believe certain things about herself, and has shaped her inner voice.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Aug. 2026
  • That gift was personal, not a Ballmer Group grant, as Connie is an avid NPR listener.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of avid
Adjective
  • And the more anxious students become about their career prospects, the more attractive banks and banking clubs become.
    — Ryan Craig, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026
  • While Turkey and Pakistan, on the borders of the Middle East, have avoided significant direct attacks, both are anxious to calm conflicts that threaten their own security and economic health.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of anxious
Adjective
  • For those keen to venture further afield, Florence, Siena, and San Gimignano can all be reached in a little over an hour by car.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Africa's largest economies are keen to build their own solar manufacturing capacity.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of keen

Phrases Containing eager

Browse Nearby Words

each and everyone
eager
eager beaver
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Cite this Entry

“Eager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/eager. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on eager

Nglish: Translation of eager for Spanish Speakers

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