1
as in gall
shameless boldness
you've got a lot of nerve showing up here
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
that daring rescue took some nerve
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3
as in shakes
nerves plural
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerve
Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
In some cases, the disease can affect the nerves that control automatic body functions, leading to problems with sweating and dizziness.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Slot’s side fell behind to Rasmus Kristensen’s strike but held their nerve and took complete control with 14 shots on target compared to just one.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological disorder that affects the nerves that control the muscles.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Noun
But the nerves — the feeling of bracing for the worst — had grown as steady as the rationale for them.
—Sam McDowell 24, Kansas City Star, 24 Oct. 2025
In some cases, the disease can affect the nerves that control automatic body functions, leading to problems with sweating and dizziness.
—Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Slot’s side fell behind to Rasmus Kristensen’s strike but held their nerve and took complete control with 14 shots on target compared to just one.
—James Pearce, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
Tate had a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a genetic neurological disorder that affects the nerves that control the muscles.
—Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
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The ability of the Broncos’ core four pass-rushers up front to win one-on-ones — Cooper, NFL sack leader Nik Bonitto, Zach Allen, Franklin-Myers — and the secondary’s ability to win in man coverage on the back-end has given coordinator Vance Joseph the ingredients and the gall of a mad scientist.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
16 Oct. 2025
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The gall to say that I'm washed?—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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No one trains you for moral courage or unwavering positivity — that’s a different kind of journey.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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Rewrite old stories with courage.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Godolkin’s actual body is only able to eat applesauce, which makes sense in light of its condition, but Cipher drinks those shakes.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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For even more discounts, customers can keep an eye on the Shake Shack app for other deals, like $1 sodas, $3 fries and $5 shakes.—
Sabrina Weiss,
PEOPLE,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Local farmers and businesses in Wisconsin are bracing for impact as funding for the state's federal food assistance program is set to run out by November.—
Anna Kleiber,
jsonline.com,
27 Oct. 2025
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Jamaica’s Blue Mountains, which soar to 7,500 feet and receive nearly 200 inches of rain annually, are bracing for up to 40 inches of rainfall from Hurricane Melissa over just a few days.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
25 Oct. 2025
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Using him comes across as arrogance.—
Joe Nguyen,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The president also celebrated the release of all the hostages and acknowledged their courage and bravery during their captivity.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Oct. 2025
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Trautmann’s personal status was enhanced by his bravery in the 1956 FA Cup final against Birmingham City.—
Michael Walker,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Dividend cuts ‘would send shivers through Wall Street’ Clark Williams-Derry, energy finance analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), a non-profit organization, said trimming the share buybacks is likely Big Oil’s easiest option.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 2025
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Grab this sweatsuit and kiss mid-flight shivers goodbye.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And if hair growth is a concern, droves of shoppers recommend this Pura D’or shampoo and conditioner duo that’s fortified with biotin to encourage fuller, healthier-looking hair.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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But though the iconic museum was initially constructed as a building meant to safeguard and fortify the area, thieves have managed to get through its defenses on a number of occasions and carry off priceless works of art.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
20 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 28 Oct. 2025.
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