UNNERVE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

unnerve

verb

ˌən-ˈnərv

Definition of unnerve

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 But spending her nights on the casino floor was only Charbonneau’s first step toward embodying Cay, a free-spirited sculptor by day who unnerves Vivan from their first, cinematic encounter. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 16 June 2026 But your New Country friends speak of theirs with an affection and an entitlement that, together, unnerve you. — Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 2026 Few things unnerve the corporate sector more than uncertainty. — Serguei Netessine, Fortune, 28 May 2026 Even counting flaws that come with the system and his decisions that have unnerved some China watchers, however, time is on Xi’s side. — Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unnerve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve

Verb

Once injected with venom, the prey is paralyzed and drained of bodily fluids.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
The storm paralyzed the East Coast from the Chesapeake Bay to Maine and even some parts of Canada from March 12 to March 14.

— Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 July 2026

Definition of paralyze

Verb

Many gardeners buy praying mantis egg cases (oothecae) from garden nurseries, but this practice is discouraged for two reasons.

— Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Applying a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch, such as straw or leaf mulch, will discourage weeds in garden beds, says Langelo.

— Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Definition of discourage

Verb

Fireworks can frighten animals and send them scattering, but Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets apparently are made of sterner stuff.

— Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
In those moments, what frightened her most was not her own safety but the knowledge that her husband was up there somewhere, flying in the same sky swarming with fighter planes dropping their bombs on Tehran.

— Mahsa Alimardani, Time, 6 July 2026

Definition of frighten

Verb

Belgium looked limited and frustrated, with Leandro Trossard and Youri Tielemans heading into the second-half hydration break in the middle of an angry argument.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 5 July 2026
Its young people are increasingly educated and ambitious but many are frustrated over fierce competition for limited jobs.

— Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 4 July 2026

Definition of frustrate

Verb

Sebastian Krautz went viral on NBC10 Boston this week after admitting he was initially terrified to travel to the United States because of news about crime and safety.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 4 July 2026
Even now at more than 50 years old, there is something undeniable about the movie’s ability to entertain, delight and terrify an audience.

— Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026

Definition of terrify

Verb

The parking at Krog Street Market can be intimidating, but there’s no need to try to navigate the valet or the small lot in the front of the market.

— Blair Crosby, AJC.com, 5 July 2026
The Oura Ring 4 has dropped to $399, cutting a cool $100 off the intimidating $499 list price.

— Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 4 July 2026

Definition of intimidate

Verb

Gone are the days when the racy content of a show like Love Island USA—where contestants wear next to nothing and more than one has been kicked off for questionable social media posts—would scare advertisers off.

— Toni Fitzgerald, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Maybe two or three groups of hoaxers out there at once, bumping into each other in the dark and scaring the scales off one another.

— Star-Telegram staff, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026

Definition of scare

Browse Nearby Words

unnegotiable

unnerve

unnerved

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“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of unnerve

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