unnerved 1 of 2

unnerved

2 of 2

verb

past tense of unnerve

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
Adjective
Have these tumultuous real-world consequences unnerved Roberts? Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026 The resultant sonic boom shock waves frequently shattered windows, cracked building walls, and unnerved citizens within earshot. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 1 July 2026 The China Lake Naval Air Weapons Station, the Navy’s largest base for developing and testing weapons of warfare, suffered billions of dollars in damage, and the fact that the second quake was scarier than the first unnerved many Californians. Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026 David Rubenstein, the son of a Baltimore postal worker, was frustrated in a Washington law firm when he was both inspired by a wildly successful leveraged buyout and unnerved by a book that claimed the odds of successfully starting a company plummets after 37. Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 June 2026 At England’s training on Sunday, British reporters admitted to being unnerved. Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 15 June 2026 But civil libertarians are unnerved about casting such a wide dragnet that captures highly personal information from hundreds or perhaps thousands of people who aren’t criminals. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026 Vice Mayor Ben Sorensen, unnerved by talk of statewide property tax reform and a looming multiyear budget deficit, is now having second thoughts about committing all that money to a futuristic City Hall. Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2026 McIlroy never seemed unnerved by the pressure of following the supernova that was Woods. Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
The earthquakes left many in the Andean nation unnerved after two back-to-back quakes devastated neighboring Venezuela in late June, destroying hundreds of buildings and killing more than 6,300 people. ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 Trump’s recent clashes with Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war have also unnerved some young conservatives. Charlie Sabgir, The Atlantic, 1 July 2026 Perhaps coincidentally, OpenAI is considering delaying its IPO, The New York Times reported, with executives unnerved by SpaceX’s volatile debut and stock-market choppiness. Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 26 June 2026 The baby boomer bank leader took to LinkedIn to admit that his words had unnerved some of his coworkers. Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 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 Larsen and other entrepreneurs, unnerved by the election of democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani in New York and increasing calls across the US for taxes on wealth, fear that the measure could undo efforts to make San Francisco more business-friendly. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026 The Fed targets a 2% inflation rate, and officials will likely be unnerved by a steady increase. Christopher Rugaber, Chicago Tribune, 8 Apr. 2026 But their existence is an open secret, and the Iranian missile’s coming so close to the facility will have unnerved some. Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 23 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerved
Adjective
  • Foster gives a taut performance despite the unstrung absurdities of the plot.
    Hilton Als, New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2026
  • 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 process is outdated, with items voted on out of context while residents sit in the back row, powerless to influence growth.
    Aida Nesimi, Sun Sentinel, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Summary Public trust in institutions is at an all-time low, driven by a deeper crisis of belonging where people feel powerless in decision-making.
    Belonging Forum, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • According to a civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by Lindsay's ex-husband Patrick Clancy, the 36-year-old is paralyzed below the sternum.
    Melina Khan, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Collette’s sister said doctors told the family that Josh Collette was paralyzed from the neck down.
    Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • This might have discouraged a sensible man from deciding to become a publisher.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The lingering effects of high interest rates and Trump’s erratic trade policies discouraged companies from hiring in 2025.
    Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The offense was unproductive, the bullpen exhausted and starters gassed after several extra-inning games and three sticky games against the Cardinals.
    Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Such weapons are proving increasingly difficult for Kyiv to shoot down, with supplies of US Patriot interceptors – one of the few systems capable of taking down ballistic missiles pretty much exhausted.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • And that’s the main tension this season, as Beau is feeling emasculated by the dynamic.
    Marlow Stern, Variety, 30 July 2026
  • By contrast, Gercke’s emasculated George speaks in the monotonous style of a man worn down by life.
    Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The aggressive approach deeply disrupted and frightened the participants.
    Kimmie Gordon, Chicago Tribune, 22 Aug. 2026
  • If your child is frightened of needles, another option is nasal spray.
    Eva Flowe August 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • But Moores would express misery in recalling ballpark-construction hassles and MLB politics that frustrated his advocacy of small-market clubs and game-day affordability.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2026
  • After all, the class was her sanctuary through a breakup, during feelings of inadequacy and when she was frustrated with work.
    Sneha Dhandapani, CNN Money, 25 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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