Synonyms of nerves

nerves 1 of 2

noun

plural of nerve

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

• shivers
• butterflies
• jitters
• shakes
• willies
• anxiety
• heebie-jeebies
• creeps
• screaming meemies
• hysteria
• jimjams
• dither
• fear
• fidgets
• whim-whams
• frazzle
• cold sweat
• goose bumps
• uneasiness
• agitation
• nervous breakdown
• jumpiness
• edginess
• skittishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• calm
• composure
• equanimity
• tranquility
• aplomb
• imperturbability
• self-possession

nerves

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of nerve

as in braces

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• braces
• fortifies
• forearms
• steels
• strengthens
• readies
• poises
• arms
• comforts
• psyches (up)
• bolsters
• reinforces
• hardens
• inures
• heartens
• toughens
• seasons
• sustains
• inspires
• buttresses
• stirs
• buoys (up)
• rouses
• emboldens
• encourages
• enforces
• rallies
• props (up)
• cheers (up)
• boosts
• supports

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• shakes
• discourages
• unnerves
• disheartens
• daunts
• demoralizes
• weakens
• saps
• undermines
• softens
• dispirits
• enervates
• debilitates
• tires
• undercuts
• enfeebles
• psychs (out)
• prostrates

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of nerves

Noun

In deep money trouble with local mob boss Abu Rabih (Haytham Chamass), Hamza is all bristly nerves, always a hair’s breadth from falling apart, and, for the other characters and the audience alike, perhaps the riskiest element of the scheme. — Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026

That are, again, all spoken at the same time, in a manner that could grate the nerves coming from the hands of any other filmmaker, but Herzog is entirely sincere and irony-free in his handling. — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 3 Sep. 2026

In the backdrop, there are nerves about fiscal health and a series of upcoming elections. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

The brain was the source of the electrical charge; the nerves conducted the electrical fluid; and the muscles stored opposite charges. — IEEE Spectrum, 31 Aug. 2026

As the rocket rumbled along the Space Coast, nerves turned into catharsis for JPL scientists and engineers looking on. — Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2026

There’s predictably a lot of anxiety about the festival at a time when nerves are shot and resources are stretched thin. — Anya Kamenetz, Curbed, 28 Aug. 2026

Holopirek, a former teacher, admitted some nerves on opening day. — Kansas City Star, 27 Aug. 2026

But that didn’t settle the nerves of residents or commissioners Monday night. — Charlotte Observer, 26 Aug. 2026

Phrases Containing nerves

• get on one's nerves