1
as in paralyzed
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 discouraged
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
1
as in unstrung
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in powerless
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 unnerved
Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Opposition Peronists hope to build on their unexpectedly wide victory in Buenos Aires provincial elections last month, which unnerved markets.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The moves between the world’s two largest economies have rattled markets, unnerved global industries of production shocks, and rekindled fears of a repeat of the tit-for-tat tariff offense in spring, when levies on Chinese and American imports reached levels tantamount to trade embargoes.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Last month, The Star reported about other gas leaks that unnerved area residents in the wake of the deadly home explosion.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
And all went according to plan — except, say some Swifties, for one aspect that’s unnerved and angered them.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
For Birkin, getting older meant a kind of invisibility, a prospect that at once unnerved and elated her.
—Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His relatives have cut contact, unnerved by the flock of police that tail him.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Leann Williams, a resident of New Orleans neighborhood Tremé, was unnerved by the sight of heavily armed military personnel holding machine guns at the Superdome.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on the wealthy and intense criticisms of the Israeli government's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 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
Verb
But over the past year, YouTube’s domination of The Gauge has unnerved executives at some competitors.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2025
Opposition Peronists hope to build on their unexpectedly wide victory in Buenos Aires provincial elections last month, which unnerved markets.
—Zac Anderson, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025
The moves between the world’s two largest economies have rattled markets, unnerved global industries of production shocks, and rekindled fears of a repeat of the tit-for-tat tariff offense in spring, when levies on Chinese and American imports reached levels tantamount to trade embargoes.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
Last month, The Star reported about other gas leaks that unnerved area residents in the wake of the deadly home explosion.
—Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 13 Oct. 2025
And all went according to plan — except, say some Swifties, for one aspect that’s unnerved and angered them.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2025
For Birkin, getting older meant a kind of invisibility, a prospect that at once unnerved and elated her.
—Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His relatives have cut contact, unnerved by the flock of police that tail him.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Leann Williams, a resident of New Orleans neighborhood Tremé, was unnerved by the sight of heavily armed military personnel holding machine guns at the Superdome.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
At the same time, the state assemblyman’s calls to raise taxes on wealthy people and intense criticisms of the Israel’s military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives, as well as many Jewish New Yorkers.
—Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2025
At the same time, the state assemblyman's calls to raise taxes on the wealthy and intense criticisms of the Israeli government's military actions in Gaza have unnerved some centrists and conservatives.
—Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerved
Verb
-
The demonstrations come as the federal government enters its 18th day of shutdown, which has paralyzed federal programs and services while testing the constitutional balance of power.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
-
The state appears to now use two doses of the sedative pentobarbital, with the attorneys saying the inmates drown in a rush of fluid into their lungs but are paralyzed and cannot react.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Victor discouraged her ambitions and the couple eventually divorced, but Soare pressed on.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Don’t be discouraged Keep in mind that potty training is a months-long process.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
When the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons opened training camp back in May with unstrung lacrosse stick heads, players knew who to ask for an assist.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The history books say that the French colonial regime exercised firm control over the emperor until the Japanese invasion ended French administration in Indochina in 1945; Bao Dai remained as an essentially powerless ruler until the Viet Minh seized power a few months later.—
Teri Sforza,
Oc Register,
22 Oct. 2025
-
The Kim sisters have taken over the Flynns’ company, ENCOM, while bratty upstart Julian Dillinger (Evan Peters) runs Dillinger Systems under the watchful, but ultimately powerless, eye of his mother (Gillian Anderson).—
Katie Walsh,
Twin Cities,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
One, frightened, pressed her belly into the pavement.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Carley Coleman, operations director at adjacent Via Vite, said her staff and guests dining at the restaurant were frightened when gunshots rang out.—
David Ferrara,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But Republicans never shut down the government during the Biden presidency, and Vought grew increasingly frustrated with them for not using more aggressive tactics.—
Andy Kroll,
ProPublica,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Trump is growing increasingly frustrated at Putin’s unwillingness to discuss American ceasefire proposals.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Which, it should be pointed out, had to be fairly exhausted at that point.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Outside the courthouse following his victory, Sussman sounded exhausted.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Noah is a debt-addled, nerdy middle-aged who feels totally emasculated by his inability to get a project off the ground.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Blake is not an emasculated wimp; his confidence is complete, his suavity bordering on the toxic.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share