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
Relevance
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
Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
If nerves were visible, so was ambition.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 1 June 2026
His nerves were frayed and his sleep suffered.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
So when the seventh inning rolled around, his nerves were not frayed.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
This means less anxiety and less nerves.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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
According to Rumbello, reaching those deeper motor nerves allows the device to support activation of spinal stabilizing muscles that are often overlooked in conventional approaches.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 May 2026
Noun
The brain influences the body’s response to nerves as much as that of the mind.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 3 June 2026
Something about seeing the gentle flow of an expansive body of water immediately calms the nerves, sending your mind into a state of sweet stillness.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 3 June 2026
If nerves were visible, so was ambition.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 1 June 2026
His nerves were frayed and his sleep suffered.
—Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, The Atlantic, 1 June 2026
So when the seventh inning rolled around, his nerves were not frayed.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2026
This means less anxiety and less nerves.
—Esther K. Choy, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
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
According to Rumbello, reaching those deeper motor nerves allows the device to support activation of spinal stabilizing muscles that are often overlooked in conventional approaches.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 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
-
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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Although the novel’s center does not quite hold, O’Farrell’s emotional intelligence — the heart and heat of her characters — braces this sometimes unwieldy chronicle of a nation that has been subject to cumbrous historic agonies.—
Rachel Vorona Cote,
Vulture,
2 June 2026
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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
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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