How to Use uptight in a Sentence

uptight

adjective
  • I don't know why people are so uptight about sex.
  • If our flight is delayed, there's nothing we can do. There's no reason to get so uptight about it.
  • And to get all uptight about what the kids are doing is pointless.
    — Alanna Nash, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2016
  • And to get all uptight about what the kids are doing is pointless.
    — Southern Living, 1 May 2017
  • Some coaches get uptight before games and don’t want to talk.
    — Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2021
  • The showing was with a slightly uptight agent who was dressed to the nines in a blue suit.
    — Amy Gamerman, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2020
  • If the host is uptight and nervous, everybody else will be that way too.
    — Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2023
  • Too uptight to refrain from checking email.
    — Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Noah decides to call her on being too uptight and makes out with her while smashing piñatas.
    — Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2021
  • It's become a very uptight, corporate league and a dink and dunk league.
    — NBC News, 4 Feb. 2018
  • Corie is free-spirited, while Paul is an uptight lawyer.
    — Hema Sivanandam, Mercury News, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Crossing your arms can come across as defensive, closed off, or uptight.
    — Ashira Prossack, Forbes, 30 May 2021
  • But while some of the ladies may still be a wee too uptight, this season was a vast improvement.
    — Michael Arceneaux, The Root, 10 July 2017
  • Charles is all very uptight and serious about the whole thing, as Charles is wont to be.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 May 2021
  • Because for the most part, Caroline comes off as a rigid uptight shrew.
    — Lisa Depaulo, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
  • Attorney bios do not have to be so rigid and uptight — save that for the CV.
    — Yec, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
  • As far as the vibe, Rabbit isn’t trying to be an uptight fine-dining spot.
    — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2022
  • The people are warm and even the fanciest restaurants don't feel uptight.
    — Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, 10 Dec. 2018
  • Is the crowd a little uptight, or more carefree and bohemian?
    — Micaela English, Town & Country, 29 Aug. 2017
  • Both firms embodied social values that, even at the time, were uptight.
    — The Economist, 22 Aug. 2019
  • Some people are really uptight but Marty was just so easy to talk to.
    — Jean E. Palmieri, WWD, 3 Dec. 2024
  • The uptight, very serious good boy-captain.
    — ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • So far this week does not have the feel of a typical, uptight Super Bowl.
    — Conor Orr, SI.com, 30 Jan. 2018
  • Jude is bitter, cold and uptight, having spent her entire adult life as the mistress of a married man.
    — Marion Winik, Star Tribune, 31 July 2020
  • The crew has planned a surprise birthday party for the uptight and very British Greg.
    — Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
  • In a highlight sequence, the two heroes put a bunch of uptight British colonials to shame in a dance off.
    — Ashley Wong, WSJ, 11 Jan. 2023
  • And there’s a general belief that, the system is too uptight and there needs to be more human freedom.
    — How To Save A Country, The New Republic, 17 Nov. 2022
  • There’s this idea that New Yorkers are uptight, or unfriendly.
    — Alice Bell, Vogue, 24 July 2018
  • He was often cast as uptight fathers or corporate execs.
    — Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
  • Florence is as loose as Greenberg is uptight, and her dreams and disappointments are as fuzzy as his are acute.
    — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Nov. 2019

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uptight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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