1
as in gall
shameless boldness
you've got a lot of nerve showing up here
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in courage
strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
that daring rescue took some nerve
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Cibrian runs lines with Rimes and calms his wife's nerves on the set.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The picture had clearly hit a nerve.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Standing firm over Newcastle’s approaches for Jorgen Strand Larsen was an impressive show of nerve in an industry where players and buying clubs normally get their way.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Noun
The season opener brings a bit of nerves to every player, but especially those seeing their first NFL regular-season action.
—Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2025
Cibrian runs lines with Rimes and calms his wife's nerves on the set.
—Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025
The picture had clearly hit a nerve.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Standing firm over Newcastle’s approaches for Jorgen Strand Larsen was an impressive show of nerve in an industry where players and buying clubs normally get their way.
—Steve Madeley, New York Times, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
-
Then there are parasitic wasps, which lay their eggs in the galls and go on to devour the entire oak gall wasp.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Aug. 2025
-
What unmitigated gall this organization has!—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Harry brought his trademark humor and warmth to the awards, a ceremony honoring seriously ill children who have shown incredible courage, joking and making smiles all around.—
Erin Hill,
People.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The WellChild Awards, which celebrates the courage of seriously ill children and those who care for them, is sponsored by a charity Harry has long supported.—
Janelle Ash , Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There are dessert items such as frozen custard, shakes, malts and other seasonal items.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
-
The business took off after expanding its product line into snacks including protein chips, pizza and shakes.—
Simone Melvin,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
The Windy City has prepared for more than a week for looming National Guard deployments and Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, from the governor bracing for a court fight to parade planners postponing.—
Priscilla Alvarez,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Lucid Motors As luxury electric vehicle company Lucid Motors prepares to launch its Gravity SUV in Europe, interim CEO Marc Winterhoff is bracing for a fast-approaching deadline in the United States and laying out his strategy for dealing with its after-effects.—
Ed Garsten,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
This arrogance is not just limited to tech titans.—
Christian Josi,
Boston Herald,
31 Aug. 2025
-
These traits do not always show up as arrogance.—
Connie Etemadi,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
With Julian, Kusters has made an impressive, understated directorial debut about love, loss and the bravery required to keep trying to live in an unfair world.—
Jourdain Searles,
HollywoodReporter,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Interpreting fall 2025 runways’ animal print trend on a more literal level, Tyla also went with Pandora Talisman collection picks like the Swallow Medallion Charm and Lion Medallion Charm, representative of hope and bravery, respectively.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Hank is a Dallas Cowboys diehard; the idea of Bobby getting into the Premier League sends him into full-body shivers.—
Jeremy Gordon,
The Atlantic,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Trying to stay ahead of the game, for Dick’s the acquisition of Foot Locker also fortifies relationships with Nike and Adidas, which still dominate global footwear sales, and gives Dick’s negotiating leverage.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
In the ultra-competitive Western Conference, the purple and gold will be looking to continue fortifying their roster, likely through the start of the regular season, with the trade deadline of February 6th circled on their calendar.—
Gabe Smallson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share