1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
The final stretch was nervy and tense, as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard drew a foul from Mitchell and sank two free throws, then Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed a 2-foot hook shot for the win.
—
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Courtesy of Marshall Moving into a new product category is a nervy undertaking for any company, and the current climate of tariff roulette only adds another level of uncertainty.
—Verity Burns, Wired News, 20 May 2025
The second half belongs mainly to Jordan Pickford, whose saves ensure there is no nervy finale.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
Courtesy of Marshall Moving into a new product category is a nervy undertaking for any company, and the current climate of tariff roulette only adds another level of uncertainty.
—Verity Burns, Wired News, 20 May 2025
The second half belongs mainly to Jordan Pickford, whose saves ensure there is no nervy finale.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Over the last two seasons, Alexander has missed 20 games due to injury, and adding him into a cornerback room that is already reeling from health issues would not be the wisest decision.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2025
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Which is wiser: Spending money on more firefighting resources after wildfires break out and absorbing the extraordinary cost of damages, or investing in technologies and training to prevent wildfires from happening in the first place?—
Abhishek Singh,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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For one thing: Bruce Springsteen heard Church’s new album, Evangeline vs. the Machine, an adventurous project that introduces orchestral and choral sounds to Church’s rebellious brand of country music.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
6 June 2025
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The dancer dreams of one day starting a travel TV show with his adventurous pup, on which they ping-pong around the world, helping to rescue stray animals and exploring the dances and cultures of other countries.—
Kelli Bender,
People.com,
6 June 2025
Adjective
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After a decade of mayhem, property destruction, and nervous soldiers firing into a crowd, the rebellion broke into gunfire between British regulars and American militia at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775.—
Dan McLaughlin,
National Review,
17 June 2025
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Any time there is a change at that level, people get nervous.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
16 June 2025
Adjective
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So that's really the idea behind Cheeky Takeout—this idea that everyone, once in a while, needs a cheeky takeout.—
H. Alan Scott,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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According to Robinson, the new collection is cheekier than the brand's last one with the country star.—
Ilana Kaplan,
People.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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His career was built around the principles that a great idea can come from anywhere, a box office triumph is meant to be shared by an entire team and our creative choices need to be bold and daring.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
5 June 2025
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The Russian missile attack on Ukraine comes days after Ukraine’s security service launched a series of daring, large-scale drone attacks deep into Russia, striking airfields and hitting 41 Russian military aircrafts.—
Victoria Butenko,
CNN Money,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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This is perhaps the most important reason everyone should be so worried about the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill.—
Paul Weinstein Jr,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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That’s why, when federal immigration agents rolled into the berry fields of Oxnard last week and detained 40 farmworkers, growers up and down the state grew worried along with their workers.—
Jessica Garrison,
Los Angeles Times,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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In the store, the seasonal collection is presented against vintage floral wallpaper, while the more modern bold blue wall opposite frames Les Essentiels, including a range of denim.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
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Questions about a bold agenda In public appearances, Kennedy has outlined what experts describe as an ambitious agenda to overhaul how the U.S. evaluates chemicals, particularly in the realm of food and some consumer products.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
18 June 2025
Adjective
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Bred in Germany centuries ago to hunt badgers, dachshunds were designed to be persistent and fearless.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
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Additionally, there are the newcomers, fearless, fast, and ready to shake things up.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
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