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
-
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
-
Feeling powerless driving a CATS bus At times, drivers work on high alert, unsure whether passengers who are threatening them will get physical, the former bus drivers said.—
Caitlin McGlade,
Charlotte Observer,
2 June 2026
-
Trump will do his utmost to remind them of their painful and powerless present.—
Idrees Kahloon,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Strait of Hormuz has been paralyzed by three months of war — a nightmare scenario that few thought was possible before the war with Iran started.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
9 June 2026
-
His left side was partially paralyzed.—
Lori Riley,
Hartford Courant,
8 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
-
The workplace fills up with work that looks finished, sounds confident, and is hollow enough that some exhausted human — usually without credit or reward — still has to mop it up.—
Joe McKendrick,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
-
The governing body has so crowded the playing calendar that many of the better players in the world come into the tournament mentally exhausted and physically gassed.—
Luke Cyphers,
Sportico.com,
11 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
-
The victim accelerated to escape, but the suspect continued to follow her, which frightened her.—
Peter D'Oench,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
The Lord in your convent frightened me, Jesus with his bloody palms and gaping mouth, eyes rolled back in terror.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Councilmember Nithya Raman on Wednesday cast the November mayoral runoff as a choice between change and the status quo, arguing that Los Angeles voters are frustrated with City Hall and ready for new leadership.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
11 June 2026
-
Over the course of the season, Chantal grows frustrated with her needy fiancé and begins falling for Jordie, who has harbored feelings for Delilah for years, but seemingly moves on and reciprocates Chantal’s affections.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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