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
Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
What happens is unnerving, at which point the film passes through a looking glass of fear.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
There’s something unnerving about the mundane thwack of the rhythms.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
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.
—Jon Gambrell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026
Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is transported, have given rise to increasing concerns of a global energy crisis and are unnerving the world economy.
—Dallas Morning News, 17 Mar. 2026
Adjective
But nothing is more unnerving than getting the notification, sprinting to the door, and finding an empty porch staring back at you.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 Mar. 2026
What happens is unnerving, at which point the film passes through a looking glass of fear.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 17 Mar. 2026
Verb
The feature debut from writer-director Graham Parkes is also one of three films at the fest to feature comedy star Kate Berlant, here in a double role as unnerving twin couples-therapy influencers.
—Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2026
There’s something unnerving about the mundane thwack of the rhythms.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Adjective
-
Most disturbing, the largest net loss of IRS filers continues to be among young adults.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
-
So, yes, Reingold’s story identified some disturbing failures.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That neighbor also raised concerns about security, saying fewer on-site resources and changes in how calls are handled have left some people feeling uneasy.—
Daniel Wilkerson,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
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As the war in Iran stretches into a fifth week, investors who had been hopeful for a quick resolution are growing increasingly uneasy about the real-world fallout from the conflict.—
Tanaya Macheel,
CNBC,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The unsolved nature of the Bradley case is unsettling, to say the least.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Mar. 2026
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Skeptics point out oral exams can be unsettling for students who are shy or have serious anxiety, but clarifying the format ahead of time and starting with softball questions can help, says Carolyn Aslan, who leads Cornell’s oral exam training.—
Jocelyn Gecker,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
His absence comes at a tense moment in his second term.—
Elena Moore,
NPR,
28 Mar. 2026
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The park department began managing Fair Park in September, scrambling to transition and set up contracts for services like security and events after a tense split from its previous operator.—
Aria Jones,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Who isn’t nervous meeting the prospective in-laws for the first time?—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Jason Bateman delivers the mundane analogy like a pro, blending sincerity and uncertainty inside his singular, nervous vocal rhythms.—
Andy Andersen,
Vulture,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel each day, disrupting the lives of millions of anxious and exhausted voters.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2026
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Investors have grown more anxious about inflation, with Treasury yields rising and consumer surveys showing short‑term price expectations drifting upward.—
Brendan Cole,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The idea behind him, especially in the pilot, was to introduce a few creepy male figures so the Sorry Man reveal lands at the end.—
William Earl,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
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Thankfully, the creepy foot-fetish guys are fewer in numbers these days.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The Leo moon sparks your restless desires for fun and adventure.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
29 Mar. 2026
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Deep inside every atom lies a restless world of quarks and gluons—the tiny building blocks that hold everything together, from rocks to stars.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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