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Glite Dictionary
swivet

swivet

9.9
A sudden strong feeling of worry when you do not know what to do
  • noun
  • /ˈswɪvɪt/
  • Archaic
translation icon : agitación
  • After hearing the unexpected news, she fell into a swivet as she struggled to understand what to do next.

Examples

  • The children were in a swivet when they found out about the surprise party.

  • All the candidates were in a swivet, though such a departure from tradition would be to the advantage of many.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • Obama has mentioned the YouTube video enough times to get the Islamic folks in a swivet and throw gasoline on the fire.

    Blog text (12)

  • I'm no architect any more than most of the people getting into a swivet about this are geneticists.

    Blog text (18)

  • His frantic search for the lost report put him in a swivet that lasted for hours.

Synonyms

whirl
vsswivet
7 4.8

A busy, confused state with many fast actions

is an emotional state focused on panic or agitation not physical motion
in a tailspin
vsswivet
  • Informal
1 8.2

A sudden state of confusion and panic that makes someone lose control

is not a sudden crisis and does not involve immediate loss of control

Antonyms

calm
52 1.0

A quiet, peaceful feeling that helps you stay steady

composure
38 5.1

Calm control of your feelings and actions in a difficult situation

How Agitated

swivet
  • Archaic
9.9
agitation
12 5.1
nervousness
36 2.7
worry
290 1.0
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

swivet singular
swivets plural

Etymology

Swivet means 'panic' or strong worry. Its origin is not certain, so a helpful way to remember it is to think of the familiar word sweat, because when people are in a 'swivet' they often sweat and feel very anxious.