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

Still, there are nerves in what's been considered a Republican stronghold. — CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026

Writing the book has been a very solitary experience—done after Viva falls asleep—and finally getting to squeeze my pals and feel less alone in it is a balm to my nerves. — Tarajia Morrell, Vogue, 4 Nov. 2026

Those minerals form the outer layer of your teeth, which protects the internal layers of tissues, nerves and blood vessels, from damage. — Rachel Carlson, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026

Aimee Morrisby was born with long-segment Hirschsprung’s disease, a congenital condition affecting the nerves responsible for moving waste through the intestines, according to Nine Australia and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Nov. 2026

How remibrutinib works Remibrutinib belongs to a class of medicines known as BTK inhibitors, which aim to reduce the immune system activity that damages nerves in MS patients. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2026

Yet motor neurons and connections between nerves and muscles can remain intact. — Tara Deans, The Conversation, 30 Oct. 2026

Back in 2023, Stevens revealed he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome—a rare auto-immune disorder in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves—and was working to relearn how to walk and use his hands. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is a chronic bacterial infection that primarily affects the skin, nerves and eyes. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 26 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing nerves

• get on one's nerves