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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nerves
Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Clear info calms the nerves and gets people ready to party.
—Elle Chan, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
But that fore knowledge didn’t make the situation any easier on my nerves.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
Experts say this can sometimes be linked to compulsive behaviors, but medical issues involving the brain, nerves, or pain should be ruled out first.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Initial nerves steadily gave way to deep trust.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Any nerves or concern about the pressures of playing for a nine-figure payday have given way to the joys of the present.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Two days later, Zeek was home with his family again, fragments of the bullet still lodged in his shoulder between a block of nerves and main blood vessel.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Noun
Williams also underwent blood tests and electrophysiological testing to measure the electrical activity of his nerves and muscles, as well as physical testing once a month.
—Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Clear info calms the nerves and gets people ready to party.
—Elle Chan, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025
But that fore knowledge didn’t make the situation any easier on my nerves.
—Robert Merchant, Outdoor Life, 1 Oct. 2025
Experts say this can sometimes be linked to compulsive behaviors, but medical issues involving the brain, nerves, or pain should be ruled out first.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Sep. 2025
Initial nerves steadily gave way to deep trust.
—Essie Assibu, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
Any nerves or concern about the pressures of playing for a nine-figure payday have given way to the joys of the present.
—Dan Woike, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
Two days later, Zeek was home with his family again, fragments of the bullet still lodged in his shoulder between a block of nerves and main blood vessel.
—Danya Gainor, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The aberrant gene makes a form of the huntingtin protein that clumps into toxic aggregates, which prevent nerves from functioning normally.
—Alice Park, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerves
Noun
-
Hearing McCartney play Beatles classics, in particular, sends shivers down one’s spine.—
John Wenzel,
Denver Post,
24 Sep. 2025
-
National Hispanic Heritage Month falls at the perfect time for catching up on all the summer fantasy romance reads before Halloween swoops in to give us the shivers.—
Lia Amador,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Airport workers face unpaid shifts during government shutdown As the federal government braces for a shutdown, essential airport personnel—including TSA officers and air traffic controllers—will remain on duty without pay.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Hong Kong International Airport expects flights to be cut starting Tuesday as the Asian financial hub braces for one of its strongest super typhoons in years.—
Danny Lee,
Fortune,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Trying to stay ahead of the game, for Dick’s the acquisition of Foot Locker also fortifies relationships with Nike and Adidas, which still dominate global footwear sales, and gives Dick’s negotiating leverage.—
Mark Faithfull,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
The future Hall of Famer only fortifies the talented roster, and gives Houston an experienced star who has the championship hardware to prove it.—
Valentina Martinez,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerves. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share