nerve 1 of 2

1
2
3

nerve

2 of 2

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
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 16 May 2025 However, his backtracking from some of the more extreme tariff policies seems to have calmed the nerves of many voters. Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025 The nerves turned into excited butterflies as my wave kicked off. Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 15 May 2025 As Matthews waited for his moment backstage, the nerves set in as no one knew what was about to happen. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
  • Her gall bladder and a large part of her liver were removed, according to a review of her medical records by The Times.
    Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • By Nicholas Lemann Among Joe Biden’s afflictions and miseries, his wormwood and gall, there are the insults (about his diminished capacities), and then there are the compliments unpaid (about his achievements).
    Ian Crouch, The New Yorker, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • But any single act of courage might shift the trajectory of your life —or that of others.
    Margie Warrell, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • This is where the first-responder physio plays a critical role — staying vigilant, trusting their training and instincts, and having the courage to make the tough decision to remove a player when necessary.
    Geoff Scott, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Verb
  • Other venues, most notably the 90,000-capacity Rose Bowl, are braced for lots of empty seats.
    Adam Crafton, New York Times, 17 May 2025
  • The National Weather Service said residents in Kentucky, southern Indiana, southern Illinois and parts of Tennessee, Missouri, Arkansas and Ohio should brace for intense storms that could include baseball-sized hail.
    Michael Phillis, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
Noun
  • Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
  • The Knicks have pulled it off by being resilient, near perfect in spurts and with the help of arrogance from the opponent.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Even in those first sessions, Nikola stood out for his incredible bravery when going up against older boys.
    Paul Taylor, New York Times, 20 May 2025
  • That indignation, those headlines, the praise for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s bravery and leadership cooling dramatically since those early days–in Europe and America.
    Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • It is then fermented into a sweet wine, usually fortified.
    Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 15 May 2025
  • Each mirror panel captures the body mid-process—being measured, considered, and eventually fortified.
    Skylar Mitchell, Essence, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • In Spanish, my grandmother read tales from Las Mil y Una Noches—in English, The Thousand and One Nights—bringing the world beyond Leigh Street, Scheherazade's magical world of Central Asian pluck, heroism and ingenuity, into the life of my mother and her siblings.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025
  • The song is about the dream of hope, heroism and finding beauty in utter darkness.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2025
Verb
  • Amid growing geopolitical tensions and unpredictable politics, the global economy is steeling itself for constant, sudden change.
    Alexander Clausbruch, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
  • However, after a two-decade-long legal battle, Arizona climbers are steeling themselves for the potential destruction of most of the boulders and hundreds of routes in Oak Flat area.
    Sam MacIlwaine, Outside Online, 4 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 27 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on nerve

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!