1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the riding accident so unnerved me that for a while I was afraid to get back on a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
a figure skater can't afford to be unnerved by an occasional slipup
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnerve
That his girlfriend lives in a world where she’s remained unaware of any of these movies unnerves him.
—
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Since President Trump took office in January, Head Start centers have been unnerved by an escalating series of threats, including, most recently, total annihilation.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Briony then leads Jamie down a line of questioning that unnerves him.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Several workers said that this indefinite period of leave has only unnerved them further as agencies eye deep additional cuts ordered by President Trump.
—Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025
Since President Trump took office in January, Head Start centers have been unnerved by an escalating series of threats, including, most recently, total annihilation.
—Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
Briony then leads Jamie down a line of questioning that unnerves him.
—Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Several workers said that this indefinite period of leave has only unnerved them further as agencies eye deep additional cuts ordered by President Trump.
—Eileen Sullivan, New York Times, 20 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Verb
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Inflammation from these conditions can paralyze the colon, causing symptoms like bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.—
Janelle McSwiggin,
Health,
6 June 2025
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Fear of the unknown, driven by economic instability and geopolitical shifts, can paralyze teams.—
David Meade,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Verb
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State wildlife biologists and Parks and Wildlife officials said killing the wolf is meant to change pack behavior by discouraging the predators from targeting livestock.—
Katie Langford,
Denver Post,
30 May 2025
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That guidance similarly discourages blanket exclusions and encourages individualized assessments that consider the nature of the offense, its recency, and its relevance to the job.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Verb
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On May 18, Palmer and the cast attended the Shadyside High Senior Prom ’88 experience as guests explored versions of the gymnasium, lockers, girls’ bathroom and more locations designed to frighten fans.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
23 May 2025
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What to know The Astra channel said that Tokarev, head of the military medical commission of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Sevastopol, got frightened during an air raid alarm overnight on May 1 sparked by a Ukrainian drone barrage.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 May 2025
Verb
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Musk was reportedly frustrated about OpenAI being part of the deal and allegedly warned G42 officials on a call that Trump would not sign off on a deal unless his company xAI was included.—
Siladitya Ray,
Forbes.com,
29 May 2025
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His Democratic Party predecessor, Moon Jae-in, had three years with a near supermajority in the legislature but had his agenda frustrated by party colleagues with little appetite for painful corrective measures.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
29 May 2025
Verb
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He was terrified of a race under the current lines.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2025
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When neighbors are afraid to call the police, when workers fear going to their jobs, and when children are terrified their parents won’t come home — that’s not safety.—
Andrew Nietor,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 June 2025
Verb
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As intimidating as the private equity process may be for franchisors, the jargon and statistics that are a part of everyday franchise life are just as opaque to investors.—
Patrick Galleher,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Swatting is the criminal practice of calling law enforcement, particularly Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, to someone's house in order to harass or intimidate them.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Verb
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Commissioners debate impact fees Several commissioners expressed concerns that a sharp hike in impact fees could scare away businesses from building in Manatee County, from day care centers to manufacturing.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
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Apparently, the card's $5 million price tag is not scaring off the jet-setters looking to make the U.S. home.—
Tovia Smith,
NPR,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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