“Anxious” vs. “Eager”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “anxious” and “eager”

  • The main difference between anxious and eager is that "anxious" is a negative emotion, while "eager" is a positive emotion.
  • While anxiousness is associated with worry, eagerness is associated with excitement.
  • One might be anxious and worried about the outcome of a situation, while eager and enthusiastic to participate in a situation.
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What is the definition of “anxious” and “eager”?

Anxious
  • "Anxious" refers to feeling worried, uneasy, or nervous about something that may happen in the future.
  • Anxiety can also be a mental health condition where a person experiences excessive fear or worry.
  • Anxiousness could manifest in physical symptoms such as restlessness, tension, headaches, or stomach problems.
Eager
  • "Eager" means to have a strong desire or enthusiasm for something.
  • It is associated with positive anticipation or excitement towards something expected or desired.
  • Eager people are characterized by their enthusiasm and willingness to learn or try new things.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Eager” is the more popular variant on the web.
Anxious
190,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I'm feeling anxious about the exam tomorrow.
  2. She became anxious when her phone battery died and she couldn't call a taxi.
  3. His anxious demeanor suggested he was not comfortable in the situation.
More popular
Eager
252,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. David was eager to show off his new car to his friends.
  2. Sara was eager to start her new job and make a good impression.
  3. The children were eager to open their Christmas presents on Christmas morning.
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