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
Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Magnesium Magnesium, a supplement usually used to relax muscles and nerves, is also promoted as an energy booster.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
The progressive disease damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The ride is just long enough to let the nerves set in.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Neuropathic pain comes from damaged or irritated nerves, and gabapentin targets the nerve signaling itself rather than just dulling pain.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Intellia Therapeutics said the FDA lifted a clinical hold on a Phase 3 study of its CRISPR gene-editing therapy for a condition called transthyretin amyloidosis, or ATTR, that mostly affects nerves.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
On this occasion, Arsenal’s team and fans became equally beset by nerves — a vicious cycle of anxiety that sucked the life (and the noise) out of the Emirates Stadium.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Financial markets nevertheless showed some signs of steadiness, though nerves were still apparent.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
Did the masks help alleviate any nerves?
—Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026
Magnesium Magnesium, a supplement usually used to relax muscles and nerves, is also promoted as an energy booster.
—Megan Nunn, Verywell Health, 28 Jan. 2026
The progressive disease damages the protective cover around nerves called myelin in your central nervous system, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
—Virginia Chamlee, PEOPLE, 28 Jan. 2026
The ride is just long enough to let the nerves set in.
—Danielle Parker, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2026
Neuropathic pain comes from damaged or irritated nerves, and gabapentin targets the nerve signaling itself rather than just dulling pain.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Intellia Therapeutics said the FDA lifted a clinical hold on a Phase 3 study of its CRISPR gene-editing therapy for a condition called transthyretin amyloidosis, or ATTR, that mostly affects nerves.
—Elaine Chen, STAT, 27 Jan. 2026
On this occasion, Arsenal’s team and fans became equally beset by nerves — a vicious cycle of anxiety that sucked the life (and the noise) out of the Emirates Stadium.
—James McNicholas, New York Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Financial markets nevertheless showed some signs of steadiness, though nerves were still apparent.
—Stan Choe, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
-
Shake off the winter shivers, Boise.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Every year, homes are affected as the early shivers give way to the bitter cold of January and February.—
Connie Etemadi,
Freep.com,
17 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) has confirmed a second death from last weekend's winter storm as the state braces for more extreme weather in the coming days.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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New Hampshire New Hampshire Public Radio has resources for finding shelters and staying safe as the state braces for extreme cold, including temperatures of -30 and wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour.—
Anusha Mathur,
NPR,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
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That night, Pam fortifies herself with a few drinks and answers when the phone rings.—
Allegra Goodman,
New Yorker,
4 Jan. 2026
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The Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority regularly fortifies religious rights, but the justices have also been wary of expanding government officials’ exposure to damages in their individual capacities.—
Zach Schonfeld,
The Hill,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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