as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
a nerved and fearless driver of race cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braced
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 nerved
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Adjective
But what places this film on this list is Byrne’s raw-nerved, aching, anxiously taut performance.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerved
Adjective
-
For those who love to entertain, summer hosting season is an opportunity to dabble in new outdoor furniture arrangements, tablescaping trends, and adventurous seasonal recipes.—
Morgan Goldberg,
Architectural Digest,
1 May 2026
-
The Joy Park water features will also be turned on for even more adventurous fun.—
Laura Daily,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
On April 14th, as Kyiv braced for a round of Russian strikes, the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, was seven hundred and fifty miles away, in Berlin, forging a defense agreement with Germany, part of a tour of European allies to raise support for military aid.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The Celtics, who have run into Philadelphia in the playoffs several times in recent years, braced for a fiery atmosphere.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The forty-niners are elemental to our identity as a nation of brave, rugged individualists.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
Her and Alexander's relationship, his crimes and her brave investigative work are all unpeeled in the new docuseries, which hit Netflix on April 29.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
3 May 2026
Verb
-
Oat milk can also be fortified with vitamins and minerals like B12, vitamin D, and potassium to boost its nutritional value.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
29 Apr. 2026
-
That said, some white breads are also fortified with other nutrients, such as B vitamins, which can provide nutritional value beyond the fiber found in whole grains.—
Angelica Bottaro,
Verywell Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
What started as a competition turned into a block party as the skaters shared the space, showing their most daring moves without the pressure of competing.—
Tony Le Calvez,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 May 2026
-
For her appearance at fashion’s biggest night, the French influencer paired the metallic top with a similarly daring skirt — the French label’s caryatid draped jersey skirt, per Lomellini — in a shade of powdery blue, and wore a pair of strappy white heels.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Many parents are afraid to go on the record against a school or coach for fear of retribution against their son or daughter, so for a teenager to go out on the limb and put himself up to possible ridicule was both stunning and courageous.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
However, thanks to the efforts of courageous youth advocates, there is hope in safeguarding youth health.—
Jad Abdel Nour,
Hartford Courant,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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McDaniels, who cut through the Nuggets’ egos early in the series with fearless words and a smug grin, got the last laugh.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
-
Her most consistent trait as an actor is making fearless choices, no matter the material.—
Chris Feil,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Grant was compelled to celebrate the nation’s hundredth anniversary just as its boldest experiment in democracy to date was being dismantled.—
Jelani Cobb,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
However, with form improving, fixtures aligning, and motivation sky-high, their players could be exactly the kind of bold picks that make all the difference in the closing weeks.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
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