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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Think of it as the petit four's younger sister, a one-bite round cake, less sweet and far more adventurous in flavor.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
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People are attracted to your adventurous spirit.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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As the Moon conjoins unanticipated Uranus in unshakable Taurus, we’re braced to renegotiate matters involving money and comfort.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
23 Feb. 2026
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The initial plan called for DHS personnel assigned to these programs to be redirected to assist the broader traveling public, as travelers braced for longer lines to clear security.—
Ayesha Ali,
ABC News,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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An estimated 4,300 brave souls took part in the Polar Plunge in Lake Michigan this chilly Sunday, all to benefit Special Olympics Illinois.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
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These three brave men have come to fight for the future of Australian agriculture, to face down a foe the Australian army has never faced before.—
Tom Hawking,
Popular Science,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many options are available, including dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, organic, non-GMO, or fortified with vitamins and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
26 Feb. 2026
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Kick off your Arts District food crawl at Bar Boheme, whose umami-rich, Alsatian-style onion soup ($21), fortified with two kinds of beer, is a standout; all of the menu’s baguettes, sourdough and milk buns are baked daily at a sister restaurant, Esther’s Kitchen.—
Roger Kisby,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The model paired her lighter brows with a few daring looks throughout the photoshoot.—
Meg Walters,
InStyle,
25 Feb. 2026
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From a tech and visual standpoint, the Air Flightposite 3 may be one of the most daring designs in the entire Foamposite franchise.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Whispers in May embodies the courageous vision of a woman director in China, where making independent documentary films is a precarious endeavor.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Mar. 2026
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The story also centers on Jitka, Morava’s courageous fiancée, who goes undercover as bait, and Marleen, a seductive actress who has a secret alliance with Buback.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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To his supporters, Khamenei was the steadfast, fearless leader who transcended mere politics and inspired devotion.—
Abbas Al Lawati,
CNN Money,
1 Mar. 2026
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Our fearless heroine gets into all sorts of trouble, and what started out as a charmed vacation ends up becoming a horrific, picaresque nightmare.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The men’s capsule imbues the same collegiate spirit, with polos and shirting in sprightly patterns—albeit, slightly bolder than women’s—alongside said new take on the retailer’s windproof blouson, in khaki, sand and navy, plus relaxed sports shorts.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
3 Mar. 2026
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With his new Inside Out Denim Collection, Flanigan reimagines timeless denim staples through a bold, conceptual lens—proving that everyday wear can still feel elevated and intentional.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
2 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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