1
as in gall
shameless boldness
you've got a lot of nerve showing up here
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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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerve
Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On this occasion, Arsenal’s team and fans became equally beset by nerves — a vicious cycle of anxiety that sucked the life (and the noise) out of the Emirates Stadium.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Before the race began, there was excitement and nerves.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026
Archival footage illustrates, in pulse-pounding and nerve-rattling fashion, just how widespread calls for Rushdie’s murder were.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Noun
Modesty might actually seem attractive, after the nerve-jangling, always-on-tenterhooks Trump years.
—Bill McKibben, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
On this occasion, Arsenal’s team and fans became equally beset by nerves — a vicious cycle of anxiety that sucked the life (and the noise) out of the Emirates Stadium.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Before the race began, there was excitement and nerves.
—Kimberly Zapata, Parents, 26 Jan. 2026
Archival footage illustrates, in pulse-pounding and nerve-rattling fashion, just how widespread calls for Rushdie’s murder were.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerve
Noun
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The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The apparent copy of Hipparchus’ catalog was written using ink made from tannin-rich oak galls, the common, often-round growths on oak trees triggered by larval wasps.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Defense of humanity requires courage, moral clarity and our unwavering action.—
Bernard Cherkasov,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Jan. 2026
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And some poor choices have not diminished the status of the Norwegian Nobel Committee as the international arbiter of moral courage.—
Sean Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Available in powder form, whey protein is commonly used to create protein shakes that serve as meal replacements and support muscle building.—
Lana Barhum,
Verywell Health,
29 Jan. 2026
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Using a spatula, stir in flour, a few shakes of hot sauce, salt, and Rice Krispies cereal.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Indian traders are bracing for a year of record government debt supply, which may keep borrowing costs elevated in the nation’s bond market.—
Subhadip Sircar,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
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Tri-State Area residents are bracing themselves for an extended period of unseasonably cold temperatures.—
Justin Lewis,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach take turns transforming into floating marketplaces — docks converted to catwalks, hulls polished to reflective arrogance, sales reps who can quote fuel burn like yacht owners care about costs.—
Eric Barton,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Jan. 2026
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College football is awash in problems, including the Big Ten’s unrivaled arrogance, and its never-ending list of demands that would make Notre Dame blush.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
1 Jan. 2026
Noun
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While the novel seems to equate bravery, as manifested through behavior in the bullring, with moral clarity, here the emblem of bravery has been turned into garbage.—
Akhil Sharma,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Angela’s pride in the quiet bravery and solidarity has stuck with me.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Shake off the winter shivers, Boise.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
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Every year, homes are affected as the early shivers give way to the bitter cold of January and February.—
Connie Etemadi,
Freep.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The Orioles brought in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward for their lineup while adding Shane Baz and Ryan Helsley to fortify their pitching staff.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
No doubt to fortify the regime.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerve. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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