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
Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, tech stocks are back in favor after sliding earlier this year over nerves about expensive valuations and AI disrupting the software industry.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
No scene brushes up against the real world more intimately than watching the girls touch up their (clean, organic) makeup before the big dance, nerves bubbling over into jealousy and sniping.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
Becka hasn’t eaten in two days, her nerves about the ball leaving her with no appetite.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Alan retired from performing in 1987 after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Apr. 2026
According to her, initially there were nerves at the table read— but there was no need to worry.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
Even early on, before the gruesomeness starts spiraling out of control, Stephen McKeon’s stabbing, head-scrambling score and Peter Albrechtsen’s gut-churning soundscape work overtime to jangle our nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
This protein plays a role in transmitting pulses from cochlear cells within the ear to nearby nerves, which carry the signals on to the brain.
—Berkeley Lovelace Jr, NBC news, 23 Apr. 2026
Meanwhile, tech stocks are back in favor after sliding earlier this year over nerves about expensive valuations and AI disrupting the software industry.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2026
If nerves come up, that’s part of the process, not a reason to stop.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 22 Apr. 2026
No scene brushes up against the real world more intimately than watching the girls touch up their (clean, organic) makeup before the big dance, nerves bubbling over into jealousy and sniping.
—Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 Apr. 2026
Becka hasn’t eaten in two days, her nerves about the ball leaving her with no appetite.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 22 Apr. 2026
Alan retired from performing in 1987 after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a disease that causes breakdown of the protective covering of nerves.
—Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 21 Apr. 2026
According to her, initially there were nerves at the table read— but there was no need to worry.
—Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 21 Apr. 2026
Even early on, before the gruesomeness starts spiraling out of control, Stephen McKeon’s stabbing, head-scrambling score and Peter Albrechtsen’s gut-churning soundscape work overtime to jangle our nerves.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
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Miller wrote the play long before the rise of artificial intelligence sent shivers through the American workforce.—
Chris Jones,
New York Daily News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
And some shivers, because that title isn’t a misdirect.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
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Vietnam’s airlines are suspending some domestic routes as the country braces for jet fuel shortages.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Excited yet anxious over the prospect of reconnecting with the man that got away, the pair fortifies themselves with cocktails and bubbly during a boozy dinner.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
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Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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