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
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The adventurous activity allows travelers the chance to come eye-to-eye with a shark from the safety of a cage, from the Galapagos Islands to the Western Cape of South Africa.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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Un Certain Regard has an excellent track record for this kind of thing — formally adventurous films that leave audiences slightly altered.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Verb
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After a long day at the theme park with their brood, the two families braced themselves for the trek home.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
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Overcast skies hovered over Atlanta during the midafternoon as the metro area braced for severe weather.—
Vanessa McCray,
AJC.com,
6 May 2026
Adjective
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Instead of wanting to hide her hairstyle, the toddler came home proud of herself for being brave enough to go through with it.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
17 May 2026
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One brave man ignores a greeting.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
16 May 2026
Verb
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Infusing this with her music has fortified her place in pop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
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Formula is fortified with vitamin K, but even with that, experts agree, babies should still get the shot.—
Duaa Eldeib,
CNN Money,
8 May 2026
Adjective
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For the less daring, there are a total of five trails inside the park.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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The unit famously killed Usama bin Laden in 2011 in a daring raid deep into Pakistan.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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But a courageous governor, LeRoy Collins, fought his heart out for voting rights and fair apportionment.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 May 2026
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Bolton Hill neighbors react Neighbors called her actions courageous.—
Tara Lynch,
CBS News,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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To fans, Cox was the fearless manager who guided Atlanta to its first major professional sports championship in 1995, doing it on a national stage through Turner’s eponymous TBS broadcasts that reached homes across the country.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Aries March 21 – April 19 A bold move could set exciting momentum in motion today.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
12 May 2026
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By evening, the Aries Moon moves through your 6th House of Work and Wellness, energizing routines and ambitions that benefit from bold follow-through.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 18 May. 2026.
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