Synonyms of nerved

nerved 1 of 2

adjective

ˈnərvd 

as in adventurous

inclined or willing to take risks

a nerved and fearless driver of race cars

Synonyms & Similar Words

• adventurous
• brave
• courageous
• daring
• fearless
• hardy
• bold
• venturous
• enterprising
• venturesome
• nervy
• impulsive
• gutsy
• adventuresome
• gallant
• dashing
• heroic
• audacious
• valiant
• emboldened
• reckless
• impetuous
• foolish
• free-swinging
• dauntless
• valorous
• undaunted
• spirited
• intrepid
• imprudent
• thoughtless
• rash
• unafraid
• stupid
• overconfident
• dumb
• heedless
• hotheaded
• foolhardy
• incautious
• wild
• daredevil
• stouthearted
• spunky
• plucky
• stout
• mad
• hasty
• silly
• lionhearted
• brash
• headlong
• stalwart
• precipitate
• scatterbrained
• overbold
• madcap
• unnecessary
• insane
• unreasonable
• irrational
• gritty
• lunatic
• brainless
• absurd
• idiotic
• asinine
• crazy
• witless
• greathearted
• nutty
• wacky
• harebrained
• swashbuckling
• balmy
• moronic
• gadarene
• half-witted

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timid
• timorous
• coward
• unenterprising
• shy
• careful
• unadventurous
• cowardly
• pusillanimous
• cautious
• craven
• wary
• prudent
• milky
• afraid
• frightened
• fearful
• startled
• terrified
• scared
• heedful
• alarmed
• affrighted
• unnerved
• overcautious
• chickenhearted
• spooked
• shocked
• lily-livered
• horrified
• calm
• poltroon
• reasonable
• rational
• milk-livered
• sane
• wise
• sensible
• sound
• upset
• terrorized
• cool
• worried
• levelheaded
• overcareful
• concerned
• fainthearted
• sage
• appalled
• dismayed

nerved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of nerve

as in braced

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• braced
• fortified
• steeled
• strengthened
• readied
• poised
• armed
• forearmed
• reinforced
• psyched (up)
• inured
• hardened
• enforced
• comforted
• roused
• bolstered
• sustained
• toughened
• inspired
• encouraged
• buttressed
• emboldened
• stirred
• heartened
• seasoned
• rallied
• propped (up)
• supported
• buoyed (up)
• boosted
• cheered (up)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shook
• discouraged
• daunted
• disheartened
• demoralized
• unnerved
• tired
• weakened
• dispirited
• softened
• undermined
• enfeebled
• debilitated
• sapped
• undercut
• prostrated
• psyched (out)
• enervated

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nerved

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