as in shivers
a sense of panic or extreme nervousness
a veteran performer who still gets a case of the nerves before performances
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braces
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 nerves
Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
The NeuroMD devices are based on what the company refers to as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) technology, which targets both motor nerves and sensory nerves.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Either way, our jaws have been adequately dropped, our nerves properly racked, and our nails thoroughly bitten by the end of each episode.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The owners of The Book Loft Oak Park, another Chicago-area store that opened last summer, acknowledge some nerves about a nearby Barnes & Noble coming soon.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The bearish flow could reflect nerves around the Russell 2000′s relationship with interest rates, given the small-cap index has a higher percentage of companies without profits, which can make the group particularly susceptible to spikes in Treasury yields.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 27 May 2026
Matt Woosnam Did nerves affect Palace in the opening 45 minutes?
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Not that the nerves didn’t get to him.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Dubbed Chagyrskaya 64, the tooth stood out among dozens of others found in the cave because its crown featured a deep, irregular hole that extended all the way into the pulp chamber, or the inner cavity containing nerves and blood vessels.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Noun
The same goes for people with a condition called gastroparesis, which affects stomach nerves and muscles, and those susceptible to medullary thyroid cancer.
—Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026
The NeuroMD devices are based on what the company refers to as Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) technology, which targets both motor nerves and sensory nerves.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Either way, our jaws have been adequately dropped, our nerves properly racked, and our nails thoroughly bitten by the end of each episode.
—Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 28 May 2026
The owners of The Book Loft Oak Park, another Chicago-area store that opened last summer, acknowledge some nerves about a nearby Barnes & Noble coming soon.
—ABC News, 27 May 2026
The bearish flow could reflect nerves around the Russell 2000′s relationship with interest rates, given the small-cap index has a higher percentage of companies without profits, which can make the group particularly susceptible to spikes in Treasury yields.
—Oliver Renick, CNBC, 27 May 2026
Matt Woosnam Did nerves affect Palace in the opening 45 minutes?
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Not that the nerves didn’t get to him.
—Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2026
Dubbed Chagyrskaya 64, the tooth stood out among dozens of others found in the cave because its crown featured a deep, irregular hole that extended all the way into the pulp chamber, or the inner cavity containing nerves and blood vessels.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
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Economic shivers give both the fits, and a pressured consumer has both well in the red so far this year.—
Brett Owens,
Forbes.com,
23 May 2026
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These insects and arachnids might startle you or send shivers down your spine, but there's no need to worry about these bugs—not too much, anyway.—
Steve Bender,
Southern Living,
21 May 2026
Verb
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Now, New York braces for a potential showdown with either the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder or Victor Wembanyama’s rising San Antonio Spurs.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
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Local officials were assessing the extent of the damage and impact — as the region braces for more possible tornadoes in the days ahead.—
Ben Noll,
Washington Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The Plumb Club is involved in this effort because presenting third-party assurances of an item’s sourcing and production history builds customer trust, drives sales and thus fortifies the gem, jewelry and watch industries.—
Kyle Roderick,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
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What fortifies it the most is an appearance from Williams’ grandfather midway through the song.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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