on tenterhooks

phrase

Definition of on tenterhooksnext
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty He's been on tenterhooks in anticipation of his acceptance letter.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 on tenterhooks In practice, however, most inmates are left on tenterhooks in solitary confinement for years — and sometimes decades — with sometimes severe consequences for their mental health. — CBS News, 21 Aug. 2026 Readers, like the sentence and the plot, are on tenterhooks about what comes next. — Literary Hub, 18 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for on tenterhooks
on edge
Phrase
  • The agitator never appeared, but the threat left the staff on edge throughout the day.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • In the bond space, benchmark borrowing costs around the world are extending multi-decade highs as inflation concerns and debt levels keep investors on edge.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of on edge

Browse Nearby Words

on-target
on tenterhooks
on the alert
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“On tenterhooks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/on%20tenterhooks. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All