unnerves

verb

present tense third-person singular of unnerve
1
as in paralyzes
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 discourages
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

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 unnerves But spending her nights on the casino floor was only Charbonneau’s first step toward embodying Cay, a free-spirited sculptor by day who unnerves Vivan from their first, cinematic encounter. — Elaina Patton, IndieWire, 16 June 2026 The idea unnerves critics but thrills its architects. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerves
  1. paralyzes
  2. discourages
  3. frightens
  4. frustrates
  5. terrifies
  6. scares
  7. intimidates
  8. unsettles
Verb
  • Fear, like ignorance, shuts our eyes to and paralyzes our trust in God’s omnipotence, omniscience, and unfailing love for His children, whereas the understanding of God’s ever-present goodness removes the fear that generates suffering.
    — André Kisonga, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
  • These opportunists drown out the core mission, creating a cacophony of competing voices that confuses donors, crowd the inboxes of CEOs and members of Congress with colliding petitions, and paralyzes meaningful action by draining critical funding and attention away from the truly effective groups.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 28 June 2026
Definition of paralyzes
Verb
  • This discourages foraging wasps and yellowjackets from being attracted to these areas, says Gordon.
    — Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 29 July 2026
  • Another person may rarely drink because their culture discourages alcohol altogether.
    — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026
Definition of discourages
Verb
  • The thing that frightens me isn’t that machines will replace people.
    — Maria Colacurcio, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • What frightens scientists more than the sheer numbers are that the cuts are arbitrary and manifestly pernicious.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026
Definition of frightens
Verb
  • That distinction — chosen versus imposed — is what separates a line that builds anticipation from one that simply frustrates.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 2026
  • But what most frustrates her is that Calder’s portrayal of Millennial ennui and directionlessness takes those qualities at face value and, in doing so, replicates them.
    — Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 24 July 2026
Definition of frustrates
Verb
  • That prospect terrifies Hamid, the relief worker who survived the drone strike.
    — Mat Nashed, Christian Science Monitor, 21 July 2026
  • Frankly, the thought of being beaten by the subscribers terrifies me.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
Definition of terrifies
Verb
  • Don’t be afraid to volunteer for a responsibility that scares you a little.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
  • Donor turnout hit by heat, health scares The only time the Red Cross previously declared a national blood crisis was in January 2022.
    — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 29 July 2026
Definition of scares
Verb
  • Opponents say the ambiguous law only intimidates people from using the flag in art, protests or other forms of expression, and could violate constitutional freedom of speech.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
  • Any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates or interferes with airline crew members can lead to penalties of up to $43,658 per violation, according to the FAA.
    — Cindy Von Quednow, CNN Money, 3 May 2026
Definition of intimidates
Verb
  • That is precisely the capability that unsettles underwriters, because an agent that can decide is an agent that can decide wrongly, and fast.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • But Hyd unsettles this arrangement with their deadpan affect, playing the part of a mourning truth-seeker trying to live in the moment.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 2 June 2026
Definition of unsettles

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Cite this Entry

“Unnerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerves. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unnerves for Spanish Speakers

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