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
Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Yields fell across durations on Wednesday morning as nerves calmed, but narrowed on reports Starmer’s leadership rival Wes Streeting is preparing to resign as health secretary.
—Elsa Ohlen,joseph Wilkins,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Instead, Altman appeared jittery at first but steeled his nerves rather quickly.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Going into the moment, Abdelall says the nerves were strong.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
But further research led him to realize that hantavirus is well-known, which somewhat calmed his nerves.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Alcohol might be involved on one or both sides, and frayed nerves are pretty much guaranteed for the listener.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Having a Hall of Famer watching might add to some nerves.
—Jori Parys, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Watching a 17-point lead disappear in the third quarter had to test the Cavs’ nerves given what’s at stake.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Noun
Exposing the dental pulp and cleaning out the cavity’s contents also would have deadened the nerves and blood vessels there, leading to pain relief, Zubova said.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Yields fell across durations on Wednesday morning as nerves calmed, but narrowed on reports Starmer’s leadership rival Wes Streeting is preparing to resign as health secretary.
—Elsa Ohlen,joseph Wilkins,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 13 May 2026
Instead, Altman appeared jittery at first but steeled his nerves rather quickly.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 13 May 2026
Going into the moment, Abdelall says the nerves were strong.
—Jordan Greene, PEOPLE, 13 May 2026
But further research led him to realize that hantavirus is well-known, which somewhat calmed his nerves.
—Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 12 May 2026
Alcohol might be involved on one or both sides, and frayed nerves are pretty much guaranteed for the listener.
—Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 12 May 2026
Having a Hall of Famer watching might add to some nerves.
—Jori Parys, CBS News, 9 May 2026
Watching a 17-point lead disappear in the third quarter had to test the Cavs’ nerves given what’s at stake.
—Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 9 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
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For anyone with even a mild rodent aversion, that can trigger shivers of disgust.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
8 May 2026
-
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
Verb
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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
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While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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