1
as in unstrung
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2
as in powerless
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Dissimilar Words
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
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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
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Recent Examples of unnerved
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Apr. 2026
The Rockets were unnerved and eventually undone.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 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
Know More Claude Mythos’ unveiling — and partial release — has unnerved financial authorities, with the US Treasury secretary summoning leaders of US banks to discuss the risk to financial security, and British banking regulators doing likewise.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Viewers are also introduced to Marjorie (Blair Beeken), the activities lead at Oak Canyon Ranch, as well as Rockin’ Grandma’s sole remote worker, web designer Claire (Rachel Kaly), who appears to be terrified by the sun and wholly unnerved by other human beings.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Since debuting in late January, Moltbook has alternately captivated and unnerved industry watchers.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Several ensuing controversies at CBS News have unnerved journalists both inside and outside the company and raised questions about her leadership.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 26 May 2026
The race in San Diego County has unnerved other Democrats, who saw Issa as easier to beat than a fresh GOP candidate — but aren’t always sure what to think about Campar-Najjar.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 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
The results unnerved some, with viewers posting on social media about the uncanny quality of the interviewees.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Domingo plays the King of Pop's late, controversial father in Michael, making a physical transformation for the film that unnerved even its director.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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
The Rockets were unnerved and eventually undone.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 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
Know More Claude Mythos’ unveiling — and partial release — has unnerved financial authorities, with the US Treasury secretary summoning leaders of US banks to discuss the risk to financial security, and British banking regulators doing likewise.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 13 Apr. 2026
Viewers are also introduced to Marjorie (Blair Beeken), the activities lead at Oak Canyon Ranch, as well as Rockin’ Grandma’s sole remote worker, web designer Claire (Rachel Kaly), who appears to be terrified by the sun and wholly unnerved by other human beings.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 19 Mar. 2026
Since debuting in late January, Moltbook has alternately captivated and unnerved industry watchers.
—Bloomberg, Mercury News, 10 Mar. 2026
Several ensuing controversies at CBS News have unnerved journalists both inside and outside the company and raised questions about her leadership.
—Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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
The race in San Diego County has unnerved other Democrats, who saw Issa as easier to beat than a fresh GOP candidate — but aren’t always sure what to think about Campar-Najjar.
—David Weigel, semafor.com, 19 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
The results unnerved some, with viewers posting on social media about the uncanny quality of the interviewees.
—Jake Kanter, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Domingo plays the King of Pop's late, controversial father in Michael, making a physical transformation for the film that unnerved even its director.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerved
Adjective
-
When you’re exhausted after a long day, this pan is clutch.—
Olivia Tarantino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
11 Dec. 2025
-
So the prior market — that prior bear market is exhausted.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
Her parents comply with the new order, powerless in the face of big tech.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
16 June 2026
-
How would a shy, relatively powerless teenager see this powerful, young super-woman out there changing the world?—
Nick Romano,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Angel's family has started a GoFundMe to assist with her medical bills, baby products and accessible additions such as structural ramps to their home, as the teen was paralyzed in the incident and is using a wheelchair.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
14 June 2026
-
Hernandez was lucky to survive the shooting, but suffered permanent brain damage and is partially paralyzed as a result.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
Verb
-
Not discouraged by the previous drop, Young then went back to Legette, who made a difficult catch while falling to the ground.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 June 2026
-
Iran’s hold over the critical Middle Eastern passageway has discouraged activity in the area, triggering a sweeping blockage of oil tankers and a global energy emergency.—
Emily Hallas,
The Washington Examiner,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
Fantasy managers were nervous about investing in Brown due to possible rotation but one per cent of them were rewarded with a goal, an assist and the scouting bonus.—
Holly Shand,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Hundreds of thousands of fans, sitting in bars throughout the city, watched televisions in nervous silence.—
Jenna Thompson
June 16,
Kansas City Star,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
Squeaky voices were comic, or emasculated.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Hunters often lit blazing fires, which disoriented and frightened the elk, and as many animals as possible were killed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
And as adult dogs, their frequent escapes through or over the yard’s chain-link fence frightened people living nearby.—
Natasha Holt,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
Verb
-
Sean Neave put his hands on his hips and stared, visibly frustrated at Ulrich-Haberland Stadion, in the shadow of the BayArena.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
12 Dec. 2025
-
The Fed met against the backdrop of elevated inflation that has frustrated many Americans, with prices higher for groceries, rents, and utilities.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Fortune,
11 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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