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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerves
Verb
-
This paralyzes executives and creates fatigue.—
Nick Ryan,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025 -
The smaller wasp quickly stings the spider, injecting its powerful venom that does not kill but permanently paralyzes it.—
Ernie Cowan,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Michigan's Department of Natural Resources discourages people from keeping wild animals as pets.—
Natalie Davies,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Allowing more sunlight in also discourages the growth of mold.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
27 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Within my book, one of the things that frightens me most is the fact that with censorship, there’s often not a clear red line, right?—
Fiction Non Fiction
October 2,
Literary Hub,
2 Oct. 2025
-
What specifically frightens you?—
Tim Brinkhof,
Big Think,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
This is part of a business model that has worked for TCU’s regular-season record, but increasingly frustrates fans who want to see a decent matchup in September.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Sep. 2025
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The sharp jump in investor activity is likely due to their financial strength, which can often combat the state’s legendary low affordability that frustrates the common house hunter.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The first time terrifies every founder.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The moped-like sound of the Shaheds whooshing above the rooftops still unsettles but no longer terrifies.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
18 May 2025
Verb
-
There’s something about kidnapping that scares the fear out of you, Goldberg-Polin says.—
Romina Ruiz-Goiriena,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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While the odor scares lots of people off, there are ways to minimize it.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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With a name inspired by unity, strength and joy, Zayu transforms on the pitch as a striker, showcasing exceptional ingenuity and agility that intimidates defenders.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The result is slower, more volatile law-making — the kind of regulatory instability that unsettles investors.—
Felicia Jackson,
Forbes.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Old feelings resurface, but a racist incident unsettles their reunion.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Unnerves.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerves. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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