1
as in to paralyze
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to discourage
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
as in disturbing
marked by or causing agitation or uncomfortable feelings
the unnerving news of yet another murder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in paralyzing
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraging
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
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Recent Examples of unnerve
Steven Jiang, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
The idea unnerves critics but thrills its architects.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 June 2026
His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 June 2026
Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energy supplies — unnerving the world economy.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Verb
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
The idea unnerves critics but thrills its architects.
—Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026
Adjective
Disclosure Day is majestic, unnerving, and more than little wacky, though its pure unhinged quality is probably its secret sauce.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 9 June 2026
His drawling, winking charm is front and center, and his attraction to our heroine feels both genuine and even quite protective, but his violent streak is so blasé as to be unnerving.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 7 June 2026
Verb
Iran's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energy supplies -- unnerving the world economy.
—Arkansas Online, 18 Mar. 2026
Iran’s grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energy supplies — unnerving the world economy.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Verb
-
Hernandez was lucky to survive the shooting, but suffered permanent brain damage and is partially paralyzed as a result.—
Shira Moolten,
Sun Sentinel,
11 June 2026
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For months, Mexican authorities have fortified security in an effort to offset concerns, following several days of violence that paralyzed World Cup host city Guadalajara in February.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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My advice to early career scientists is to follow your passion and not be discouraged by the current stress on the system.—
Rachel Nuwer,
Scientific American,
16 June 2026
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Kamada said the talent and experience of his teammates helped Japan avoid being discouraged after falling behind for a second time.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
15 June 2026
Verb
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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
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Dolma told me that when the wind turbines were being built, their noise frightened her livestock and carried across the valley, disturbing neighbors during windy times.—
Sanggay Tashi,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
Verb
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The move royally frustrated Senate Republicans.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
17 June 2026
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Who wouldn’t be frustrated after watching a team leave more than 30 runners on base over the last few days?—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
The comedian was terrified after being fired from NewsRadio.—
Derek Lawrence,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 June 2026
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And there are a lot of things to be very rightly and understandably terrified of right now, and uncertainty about what's to come.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
7 June 2026
Verb
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Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said this posed a threat to maritime security and accused the EU of intimidating civilian vessels.—
Azhar Sukri,
CNBC,
14 June 2026
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Some of the greatest triumphs and moments of satisfaction come from pursuing those things that are really intimidating.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
14 June 2026
Verb
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Late one night, with the neighbors’ dogs loose once again, Courtney Guarnieri fired shots into the darkness to scare them away.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
12 June 2026
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The scientists only got a passing glimpse of the goblin shark before the lights and loud noise from the ROV's motor scared it away, Auscavitch told ABC News.—
Julia Jacobo,
ABC News,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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