1
as in gall
shameless boldness
you've got a lot of nerve showing up here
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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
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Recent Examples of nerve
Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Everything changed at the end of the Grapefruit League season, however, when McClanahan was shelved due to a nerve issue in his left triceps.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Medrano, according to the suit, went to a doctor after her arrest and was diagnosed with a nerve compression injury in her left wrist and thumb because of the zip ties.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The speech, seen as a rebuke of the steroid era, struck a nerve because Sandberg was never a big talker.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Noun
It is often diagnosed by a rash around the tick bite and can later lead to symptoms such as facial paralysis, brain fog, numbness, swollen joints or nerve damage.
—Brenton Blanchet, People.com, 3 Aug. 2025
Everything changed at the end of the Grapefruit League season, however, when McClanahan was shelved due to a nerve issue in his left triceps.
—Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
Medrano, according to the suit, went to a doctor after her arrest and was diagnosed with a nerve compression injury in her left wrist and thumb because of the zip ties.
—Lily Kepner, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
The speech, seen as a rebuke of the steroid era, struck a nerve because Sandberg was never a big talker.
—Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 29 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
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Take, for instance, another women’s sports team that had the gall to outperform their male counterparts, the U.S. Women’s National Team.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
6 Aug. 2025
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People were essentially imprisoned in their homes, yet Newsom had the gall to dine mask-free at French Laundry with lobbyists.—
Houman Hemmati,
Oc Register,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
His reactions, his resilience, hunger, ambition and courage impressed amid the acrimony of defeat after defeat.—
Andy Mitten,
New York Times,
13 Aug. 2025
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Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Inspect mature trees with heavy or unbalanced limbs, which should be pruned or supported by cabling or bracing (a service provided by arborists).—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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Immediate and widespread evacuations impacted over 2 million people as coastal towns braced for potential waves.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The failure to heed early warnings from experts like Makary and Bhattacharya—now in positions to reshape federal health policy—underscores the arrogance of it all.—
Houman Hemmati,
Oc Register,
20 July 2025
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One of the habits of being trustworthy is being humble, so when assertiveness tips into arrogance this is a red flag for potential clients.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Behind her dark wardrobe and dour demeanor lies benevolence and bravery.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
6 Aug. 2025
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These lessons were often one-sided, focusing on the bravery and hardship of the colonizers.—
Shilo Kino
August 4,
Literary Hub,
4 Aug. 2025
Verb
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These five startups represent a growing movement to fortify human and ecological systems against climate volatility.—
Marianne Lehnis,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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Many brands fortify soy milk with additional vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and B12, to boost its nutritional value.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
5 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Chasing a music of earnest heroism meant not being afraid to run toward ideas that might seem childish or unserious.—
Sarah Shachat,
IndieWire,
5 Aug. 2025
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Learning more about Tubman’s heroism, including the River Raid, inspired Towns to produce a series of Tubman quilts, two of which are in the show.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
Verb
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Because the World Cup will be played in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, those countries have been spared an arduous qualifying competition — tense games that would have steeled them for the tournament ahead.—
Kevin Baxter,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2025
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The founders of Chime trudged into Amino Capital's bare-bones office early one Saturday morning in the summer of 2013, steeling themselves for disappointment.—
Stephen Pastis,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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