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

And then the game starts, the nerves dissipate, and the opponent is methodically slayed. — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

For someone whose energetic stomp through Lagos helped introduce her to much of the internet, nerves still arrived when the Chanel runway beckoned. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Oct. 2026

After an injury, nerves send out signals to help form a blastema. — Junsu Kang, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026

This exhibit explains the functions of the body’s brain, nerves and spinal cord. — Emma Hall october 3, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

Smith exhibited no nerves as the opener, throwing 2 2/3 scoreless innings after his three scoreless frames in Game 1 of the wild-card series. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Oct. 2026

Normally, such coordination is the nervous system’s job, carried out by little electrical signals traveling along nerves. — Peter Hall, Scientific American, 29 Sep. 2026

Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CT) imaging equips surgeons with a detailed view of bone structure, nerves, sinuses, and surrounding anatomy before a procedure even begins. — Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

This is a tea made from passionflower—an actual flower known to chill the nerves, not the name of a bath oil your mom bought from the last Avon lady on Earth. — Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Phrases Containing nerves

• get on one's nerves