Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

nerve

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of nerve

1 shameless boldness
  • You've got a lot of nerve showing up here!
Synonyms of nerve

audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa), crust, effrontery, face, gall, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity
Words Related to nerve

arrogance, assurance, cockiness, confidence, hardihood, overconfidence, sanguinity, self-assurance, self-confidence

discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness

back talk, sass

swagger, swash
Near Antonyms of nerve

bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness

civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners
2 strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger
  • That daring rescue took some nerve.
Synonyms of nerve

bravery, courage, courageousness, daring, daringness, dauntlessness, doughtiness, fearlessness, gallantry, greatheartedness, guts, gutsiness, hardihood, heart, heroism, intestinal fortitude, intrepidity, intrepidness, moxie, prowess, stoutness, valor, virtue
Words Related to nerve

backbone, fiber, fortitude, grit, gumption, mettle, pluck, pluckiness, spunk, temper

determination, perseverance, resolution

endurance, stamina, stomach, tenacity

audacity, boldness, brazenness, cheek, effrontery, gall, temerity
Near Antonyms of nerve

cold feet, faintheartedness, fearfulness, mousiness, timidity, timorousness

feebleness, softness, weakness

impotence, ineffectualness

hesitation, indecision, indecisiveness, irresolution
Antonyms of nerve

cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness
3 nerves plural a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
  • a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances
Synonyms of nerve

butterflies, dither, heebie-jeebies, jitters, shakes, shivers, willies
Words Related to nerve

cold sweat, creeps, fidgets, goose bumps

agitation, anxiety, fear, hysteria, uneasiness

frazzle, nervous breakdown

edginess, jumpiness, skittishness
Near Antonyms of nerve

aplomb, calm, composure, equanimity, imperturbability, self-possession, tranquillity (or tranquility)

Synonym Discussion of nerve

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.
    • had the temerity to refuse
audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.
    • an entrepreneur with audacity and vision
hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.
    • admired for her hardihood
effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.
    • outraged at his effrontery
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

nerve

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of nerve

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
  • Jim needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow.
Synonyms of nerve

brace, forearm, fortify, poise, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthen
Words Related to nerve

arm

harden, inure, season, toughen

bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress, enforce, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support, sustain

cheer (up), comfort, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire

rally, rouse, stir
Near Antonyms of nerve

daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, psych (out), shake, unnerve

debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken

Learn More about nerve

  1. See words that rhyme with nerve Dictionary: Definition of nerve Medical Dictionary: Definition of nerve Spanish Central: Translation of nerve Nglish: Translation of nerve for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nerve for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up nerve? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games