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nerve

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word nerve different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of nerve are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy
has the cheek to call herself a singer
had the gall to demand proof
the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Where would audacity be a reasonable alternative to nerve?

The words audacity and nerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When is it sensible to use effrontery instead of nerve?

Although the words effrontery and nerve have much in common, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When could hardihood be used to replace nerve?

In some situations, the words hardihood and nerve are roughly equivalent. However, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When is temerity a more appropriate choice than nerve?

The synonyms temerity and nerve are sometimes interchangeable, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nerve
Noun
For grabbing the pony’s reins, calming its nerves and building a business profile to match its brand profile, Louvet is taking home this year’s WWD Edward Nardoza Honor for CEO Creative Leadership at the WWD Honors gala. Evan Clark, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2025 Magnesium Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports nerve and muscle function, blood pressure regulation, and many other body processes. Brianna Tobritzhofer, Health, 28 Oct. 2025 Sure, the nerves are still there, but she’s driven now by adrenaline and not worried about the weight of expectations. Stephen Whyno, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025 The brain, spinal cord and nerves, as well as muscles, ligaments, and tendons are seen much more clearly with MRI than with regular x-rays and CT scans. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 28 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
  • Their unlikely friendship ended in February 1987, when Warhol died suddenly after a complicated gall bladder operation.
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • New Yorkers have always risen to critical moments—demanding not perfection, but courage and connection.
    Sally Susman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • That said, no one was raving about these shakes, either.
    Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Oct. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • From the start, her campaign braced for a tough final push; no less than Barack Obama is heading to the state in the final days to pitch in.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 3 Nov. 2025
  • In a culture where Hollywood creators worry about an AI takeover while a video-watching citizenry braces itself for a wave of synthetic media from Sora 2 and others, an AI commercial at this level is no small thing.
    Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • This propensity for mental acrobatics, alongside his immense arrogance, was how Epstein rationalized his crimes to himself.
    Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Using him comes across as arrogance.
    Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Tour the city’s downtown area with Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour to learn all about the spirits who haunt the old Canfield Casino and Hattie’s restaurant, uncover the legend of the Witch of Saratoga, and test your bravery by taking a seat in the Saratoga Springs Devil’s Chair.
    Cat Sposato, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In Fire Country, bravery means everything — even at the risk of family.
    Francesca Gariano, PEOPLE, 2 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • And at the same time, while the East shivers, much of the West will bask under unusually mild to even warm weather.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025
  • That’s partly why the Atlas launch sent shivers through Silicon Valley.
    The AI Insider, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Since then, Xi has sought to fortify Chinese industry titans, including Huawei, China Rare Earths Group, and EV maker BYD.
    Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
  • For example, state parties now get major influxes of cash, to the tune of a million dollars a month, to hire staff, set up programs, and fortify their ranks.
    Brittany Shepherd, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.

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