unnerved 1 of 2

Definition of unnervednext

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
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 Waymo has more recently gone at it alone in Dallas and Orlando instead of partnering with Uber, a shift that has unnerved investors and contributed to a 25% slide in Uber shares since October. Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 3 Mar. 2026 Irvi was enchanted and unnerved by Oaxaca’s clear blue skies, unmarred by skyscrapers. Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026 The research unnerved investors by imagining what would happen if AI continues to upend white-collar work. Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026 Bondi had a binder at the ready of stats and crime summaries to hurl at lawmakers during the contentious hearing, but members are unnerved that the DOJ apparently tracked their searches to have at the ready. Rebecca Beitsch, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026 Wall Street is coming off a losing week after increasing geopolitical tensions unnerved investors. Sean Conlon,fred Imbert, CNBC, 25 Jan. 2026 Even Venezuelans thrilled to see Maduro gone have reason to be unnerved. Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2026 In addition, the creation of the fetishes, with their bits of bone, dirt, plants, and other objects, also unnerved enslavers and colonists. Literary Hub, 5 Jan. 2026
Verb
When the brothers came face-to-face, each wearing a vest and medallions and bell-bottoms, the mirror image unnerved them both. Gail Sheehy, Vanity Fair, 20 Feb. 2026 Away from the lectern, the stock-market plunge—as well as concerns about the bond market and Treasury yields—had unnerved some of the president’s top aides, a White House official and a close outside adviser told us. Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026 Several of the senators have been unnerved by recent statements from admistration officials about taking Greenland by force. Tara Suter, The Hill, 12 Jan. 2026 Michael Burry unnerved investors this week with seemingly fresh wagers against artificial intelligence favorites Nvidia and Palantir Technologies . Yun Li, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2025 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
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
  • But this shift doesn’t leave people powerless.
    Hayleigh Evans, AZCentral.com, 2 Mar. 2026
  • They could be used to intimidate voters, and local officials would be powerless to stop it.
    Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • He was paralyzed from the waist down.
    Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 9 Mar. 2026
  • Chávez was also 14 when he was shot and paralyzed during a robbery by gang members.
    Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • If that initial conversation doesn’t go anywhere, don’t get discouraged, Kasputis adds; instead, check in consistently with your friend.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 4 Mar. 2026
  • In a lawsuit filed in December 2024, a former administrator alleged academic fraud, claiming she was discouraged from sharing low standardized test scores with the board and state agencies.
    Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Players and snaps added or lost are via the portal only (numbers do not include players lost due to exhausted eligibility or draft declarations).
    Manny Navarro, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Each diagnosis brings its own set of decisions, procedures and treatments that quite frankly leave me feeling physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted.
    L'Oreal Thompson Payton, SELF, 6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Squeaky voices were comic, or emasculated.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Frank feels emasculated by everyone and everything.
    Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That habit didn’t endear the Alspaws to anyone nearby, including one neighbor who threatened to shoot Brittany after the Alspaws frightened his horses.
    Tessa Stuart, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Konstantin, 4, a sociable boy, is often frightened by loud noises and guards, his parents said.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The risk when one person holds the top job for decades is that talented executives who aspire to be CEO get frustrated and leave.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Brooke Armour, executive vice president at California Business Roundtable, said businesses are frustrated that the governor and the Legislature have not yet resolved the deficit.
    William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 6 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.

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