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.
  • The showing was with a slightly uptight agent who was dressed to the nines in a blue suit.
    Amy Gamerman, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2020
  • When the band first got formed in 1999, Brian was so uptight about songs of that Smile era.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2024
  • And to get all uptight about what the kids are doing is pointless.
    Southern Living, 1 May 2017
  • And to get all uptight about what the kids are doing is pointless.
    Alanna Nash, Southern Living, 14 Oct. 2016
  • Attorney bios do not have to be so rigid and uptight — save that for the CV.
    Yec, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021
  • Charles is all very uptight and serious about the whole thing, as Charles is wont to be.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 6 May 2021
  • The crew has planned a surprise birthday party for the uptight and very British Greg.
    Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
  • 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
  • So far this week does not have the feel of a typical, uptight Super Bowl.
    Conor Orr, SI.com, 30 Jan. 2018
  • 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
  • Some coaches get uptight before games and don’t want to talk.
    Kyle Neddenriep, The Indianapolis Star, 11 May 2021
  • And Thomson is the soothing presence the Phillies in the wake of Girardi, who could be uptight at times.
    John Perrotto, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022
  • If the host is uptight and nervous, everybody else will be that way too.
    Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Sep. 2023
  • It's become a very uptight, corporate league and a dink and dunk league.
    NBC News, 4 Feb. 2018
  • As far as the vibe, Rabbit isn’t trying to be an uptight fine-dining spot.
    Tori Latham, Robb Report, 25 Aug. 2022
  • But yes, back then, the U.S.A. was still conservative and uptight about all these things.
    Katie Bain, Billboard, 1 Nov. 2021
  • The people are warm and even the fanciest restaurants don't feel uptight.
    Mehera Bonner, Marie Claire, 10 Dec. 2018
  • Some parts of the main property date all the way back to 1780, and the look and feel is traditional and polished, but not uptight.
    Lila Harron Battis, Travel + Leisure, 9 July 2024
  • Noah decides to call her on being too uptight and makes out with her while smashing piñatas.
    Ali Barthwell, Vulture, 17 Aug. 2021
  • Your jovial attitude helps a friend who might be uptight.
    BostonGlobe.com, 4 Oct. 2019
  • The Eagles looked as uptight and wary as Vermeil’s curfew.
    David J. Neal, miamiherald, 22 Jan. 2018
  • The women who didn’t take part in it were made to feel very guilty and selfish and self-centered and uptight, frigid and rigid and rejecting of men.
    Win McCormack, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2018
  • Is the crowd a little uptight, or more carefree and bohemian?
    Micaela English, Town & Country, 29 Aug. 2017
  • 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
  • Like the first two films in the hilarious trilogy, Greg tries to impress and earn the trust of his uptight father-in-law, Jack.
    Samantha Olson, Seventeen, 29 Nov. 2022
  • They’re now united by having the same enemy, and spend the core of the film bantering on dry land, with Arthur trying to get a rise out of the uptight Orm.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 21 Dec. 2023
  • Geraldine Viswanathan is her uptight bestie, Marian, who works an office job, reads Henry James, and hasn’t been with anyone since the end of her last relationship, which was years ago.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2024
  • The only problem is, Marilyn fell out years ago with Lou, Sarandon’s uptight surgeon and old resentments are still going strong.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 25 July 2024

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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