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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For travelers with an adventurous spirit, Costa Rica’s South Pacific is a dream come true.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
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Air travel in the early days was a little too adventurous for the average consumer.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News Carter had braced for a backlash.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though Ohio braced for severe weather, with some areas seeing hail come down, on March 22, some Ohio's cities reached record high temperatures during the day.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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June 21 – July 22 A brave horizon calls for thoughtful steps.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
25 Mar. 2026
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And there was a huge libel action against him that was taken out by a very brave writer called Deborah Lipstadt, who won against him.—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Huel sells a range of protein shakes and drinks fortified with nutrients.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
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The elevator to it is fortified for heavy loads.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Even Haghighi’s daring sense of form—his cornucopia of tones, styles, and genres—reflects his grandfather’s masterwork and suggests an expansion of Golestan’s audacious and original aesthetic.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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That took place two days after they were captured by US forces in a daring operation in Venezuela’s capital.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Mahajan remains contagiously courageous and (narratively) humble.—
Sibani Ram,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
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Poetry has been a constant, courageous form of confronting raw truths.—
Jane M. Saks,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The most fearless of daredevils shouldn’t pass up a trip to Mindanao to paraglide above the jungle or raft the whitewater of Cagayan de Oro all year round.—
Condé Nast Traveler,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
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Unhinged and fearless, the show embodied the album’s spirit.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The series introduced audiences to a bold new group of characters, welcomed familiar faces, and expanded the Star Trek universe in exciting new ways.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
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Celebrate, manifest or recharge your aura with a candle that's playful, bold and a little too accurate.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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