1
as in to paralyze
to deprive of courage or confidence
the riding accident so unnerved me that for a while I was afraid to get back on a horse
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discourage
to lessen the courage or confidence of
a figure skater can't afford to be unnerved by an occasional slipup
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 unnerve
In the weeks before she was murdered, Goncalves recounted a series of unnerving events to Mortensen and a second surviving housemate, according to a police report released last month.
—
Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
The new administration’s unorthodox business policies — plus questions about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate thinking — have unnerved many business owners and corporate executives.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The character’s defiant self-possession would unnerve even a more contemporary patriarchy, and challenge family dynamics in any era.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Dealt with unnerving subtlety, the final blow is one of Scorsese’s most devastating character executions.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Erik Ortiz, NBC news, 18 Aug. 2025
The new administration’s unorthodox business policies — plus questions about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate thinking — have unnerved many business owners and corporate executives.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
The character’s defiant self-possession would unnerve even a more contemporary patriarchy, and challenge family dynamics in any era.
—Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Aug. 2025
Dealt with unnerving subtlety, the final blow is one of Scorsese’s most devastating character executions.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Verb
-
Shortly after Henry’s death, Augusta suffered two paralyzing strokes, intensifying her and Ed’s isolated, co-dependent relationship before her death in 1945.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
3 Oct. 2025
-
The family is reeling from the tragedy as Kinzely has been paralyzed from the neck down, her family said in a GoFundMe set up to assist with Kayleb's funeral and medical assistance for the surviving children.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
However, those notoriously volatile market conditions haven’t discouraged some entrepreneurs.—
Barbara Peterson,
AFAR Media,
6 Oct. 2025
-
In states such as Maryland, the role diversity, equity, and inclusion-like policies embedded in federal contract requirements are playing in discouraging development has come into focus as efforts begin to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If the intent was to frighten the population, the move succeeded.—
Hilary Whiteman,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Keita notes the majority of Africa's population is under 35 years old and millions are unemployed and frustrated with the status quo.—
Emmanuel Akinwotu,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
-
He may be frustrated by the lack of basic defensive discipline and shape and Messi may shake his head at the incompetence behind him, but the choices made in roster construction just can’t always be compensated for by the boys from Barcelona.—
The Athletic Staff,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Sharabi, who is terrified of being held in a tunnel, is being moved to one.—
Eli Sharabi,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Aldo had spent his time in the States terrified that he would be deported back to Cuba and jailed.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In a demonstration to military clients, Julian uses bright scarlet lasers to render Ares and an intimidating swat truck in his private hangar.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Settlers continue to harass and intimidate its staff.—
Ryan Byrnes,
Literary Hub,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Nice to know there’s stuff that scares him.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
-
There’s something about kidnapping that scares the fear out of you, Goldberg-Polin says.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share