unnerve

verb

un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv 

unnerved; unnerving; unnerves

transitive verb

1

: to deprive of courage, strength, or steadiness

was unnerved by the enemy's overwhelming show of strength

2

: to cause to become nervous : upset

His strange behavior unnerved her.

unnervingly

ˌən-ˈnər-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of unnerve

• paralyze
• frighten
• terrify
• intimidate
• scare

Choose the Right Synonym for unnerve

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of unnerve in a Sentence

Seeing the police in there unnerved me.

She was unnerved by his strange manner.

Recent Examples on the Web

The results unnerved some, with viewers posting on social media about the uncanny quality of the interviewees. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026

The feature debut from writer-director Graham Parkes is also one of three films at the fest to feature comedy star Kate Berlant, here in a double role as unnerving twin couples-therapy influencers. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026

Domingo plays the King of Pop's late, controversial father in Michael, making a physical transformation for the film that unnerved even its director. —Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026

There’s not some discount for human interaction based into that that should unnerve us all. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for unnerve

• conserve
• deserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve

Kids Definition

unnerve

verb

un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv 

ˈən-

unnerved; unnerving

: to deprive of nerve, courage, or self-control

the accident unnerved me