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
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Recent Examples of unnerved
Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Many residents were unnerved by the sudden arrival of so many people.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 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
Brooks, the 28-year-old Wales international winger, was key to the visitors’ effort, producing a superb cross to assist Antoine Semenyo’s first goal, and integral to a pressing that unnerved Liverpool all night.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
His relatives have cut contact, unnerved by the flock of police that tail him.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Many residents were unnerved by the sudden arrival of so many people.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 8 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
Brooks, the 28-year-old Wales international winger, was key to the visitors’ effort, producing a superb cross to assist Antoine Semenyo’s first goal, and integral to a pressing that unnerved Liverpool all night.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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
-
Before recess, the lower chamber was paralyzed over a standoff regarding the Epstein files, when the House Rules Committee failed to tee up any bills for floor votes as the members disagreed over the Epstein files issue.—
Lauren Peller,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The climate groups had sued the EPA, Zeldin, and Citibank—which was holding the grant money on behalf of the agency—saying the freeze had paralyzed their operations.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That’s largely because, in recent centuries, waves of colonizers globally discouraged or even outlawed the teaching and learning of Indigenous languages — eradication that researchers and technologists like Boyer, as well as organizations like UNESCO, are now working to undo.—
Clare Duffy,
CNN Money,
2 Sep. 2025
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In May 2025, Penna opened a facility in Bell, California exclusively for Legendary—a choice many in his life discouraged due to the cost of maintaining a plant in the Golden State.—
Simone Melvin,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 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
-
Evans, who lives in Cincinnati and was only recently released from the hospital herself, was powerless to help him.—
Janelle Griffith,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In an interview with Variety, Katz acknowledges the judgment, but says the state is powerless to collect.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Family pets, especially dogs, are frightened by the noise and will hide or try to run away.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
In the first Nobody, Odenkirk’s Hutch has to reignite the sleeping assassin within himself after his family was frightened by a botched home invasion.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
During his loan spell with Leeds, Spence frustrated their head coach Daniel Farke with his timekeeping.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Some actors might choose to step away from such a thing, or even be frustrated by it or it being brought up in interviews, but Fischer clearly enjoys every last moment of her good fortune from a former era, even now.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gaga ended the performance like an exhausted wind-up doll, caged again physically, but never spiritually.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The apparently recent footage showed two hostages -- Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Alon Ohel -- looking gaunt and exhausted while being driven around Gaza City.—
WAFAA SHURAFA,
Arkansas Online,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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 11 Sep. 2025.
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