Synonym Chooser

How does the verb unnerve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unnerve are emasculate, enervate, and unman. While all these words mean "to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action," unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

When can emasculate be used instead of unnerve?

In some situations, the words emasculate and unnerve are roughly equivalent. However, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Where would enervate be a reasonable alternative to unnerve?

The words enervate and unnerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

When is unman a more appropriate choice than unnerve?

The synonyms unman and unnerve are sometimes interchangeable, but unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

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 Trump’s tariffs have unnerved not only global companies, but investors, nations and everyday Americans alike. Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 1 May 2025 His signature on a joint agreement with Patriarch Kirill, however, unnerved some Ukrainian Catholics. Victor Gaetan, Foreign Affairs, 25 Apr. 2025 That his girlfriend lives in a world where she’s remained unaware of any of these movies unnerves him. Keith Phipps, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2025 Since President Trump took office in January, Head Start centers have been unnerved by an escalating series of threats, including, most recently, total annihilation. Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Verb
  • Trump deserves credit for ignoring the voices in Washington who counsel inaction out of an understandable but often paralyzing fear of unintended consequences.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
  • To all who saw Iran as a behemoth, were daunted by its deterrence and paralyzed by its threats, these are days of reckoning.
    HUSSEIN AGHA, Foreign Affairs, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • While global finance institutions and investors have long been interested in diversifying to China, Beijing’s strict controls on capital outflows and relatively opaque system have discouraged large-scale buying of mainland China assets.
    Lee Ying Shan,Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 25 June 2025
  • Meanwhile, rent control and other well-meaning interventions often backfire by discouraging investment and reducing housing availability in the long run.
    Alexander Frei, Boston Herald, 23 June 2025
Verb
  • The woman inside banged pots and pans and screamed at the bear to try to frighten it away, officials said.
    Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 25 June 2025
  • Winston Churchill said the U-boat peril was the only thing that really frightened him during World War II.
    Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Retailers have sought to prevent theft without compromising the customer experience as traditional approaches such as locking up products can frustrate shoppers and have been found to lower sales.
    Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • A number of Republicans are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of tariff deals from President Trump two weeks away from a July 8 deadline that could lead to the reinstating of heavy tariffs on imports from around the world.
    Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • The loud noises terrify many dogs and cats into running away — which is easier with more doors opening during parties.
    Jen Reeder, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • The women on the ward were terrified by the sudden invasion of masked people.
    Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • In her June 22 decision, Holmes said the government’s claims that Abrego Garcia is a gang member and could intimidate or threaten witnesses are based on vague statements of cooperating witnesses.
    Michael Collins, USA Today, 26 June 2025
  • How Unions are Stepping in to Fill Governance Gaps Unions have observed that many workers feel intimidated by the technical nature of AI and are uneasy when discussing their concerns with their employers.
    Oludolapo Makinde, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • The chemistry is real, but Nic scares me for Olandria.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 27 June 2025
  • The camper attempted to scare off the bear by banging pots and pans and screaming at the bear.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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