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
Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
One couple actually comes into contact with them, in a sequence that feels unnerving even for this high-anxiety series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
China has been gripped by a surge of sudden episodes of violence targeting random members of the public – including children – in recent months as economic growth stutters, unnerving a public long accustomed to low violent crime rates and ubiquitous surveillance.
—Hassan Tayir, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Democrats have been unnerved by recent polls that show Harris’ numbers sagging among Black voters, particularly young men.
—Josh Feldman, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Verb
Trump has unnerved Greenland's leaders by offering to purchase it from Denmark − without ruling out military action or economic coercion.
—Erin Mansfield, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
One couple actually comes into contact with them, in a sequence that feels unnerving even for this high-anxiety series.
—Judy Berman, TIME, 3 Mar. 2025
China has been gripped by a surge of sudden episodes of violence targeting random members of the public – including children – in recent months as economic growth stutters, unnerving a public long accustomed to low violent crime rates and ubiquitous surveillance.
—Hassan Tayir, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025
Democrats have been unnerved by recent polls that show Harris’ numbers sagging among Black voters, particularly young men.
—Josh Feldman, NBC News, 21 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for unnerve
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve
Adjective
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In cases where advertising is inevitable, some prefer ads that appeal on a personal level over messaging that can be inappropriate or, even, disturbing and offensive.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
16 Apr. 2025
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Ghosts that wink could be scary but the face Sal makes is disturbing in other ways.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Consumer sentiment and expectations Americans are feeling uneasy about the economy, and that is showing up in the data.—
Russ Wiles,
USA Today,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Markets have been turbulent ever since as trade policy uncertainty leaves investors uneasy.—
Chris DiLella,
CNBC,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The voice of Pope Francis has been such a voice—gentle, disarming, and at times, unsettling.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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These experiments busted the urban myth but also pointed to a the truth about how companies like Facebook sometimes serve up such disturbingly accurate advertisements that is much more complex, and unsettling.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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They are characterized by tense exchanges, audience ejections and, in one case, stun guns deployed to subdue two attendees.—
Averi Harper,
ABC News,
29 Apr. 2025
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At one point, he's shown punching a wooden door, and his relationship with girlfriend Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt, seems tense.—
Lauren Huff,
EW.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Professionally, Xavier is anxious about future tax exposure from his deferred compensation.—
Brian Lasher,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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Another reason people put off going to bed is to avoid feeling anxious or restless, said James Rowley, MD, a sleep medicine expert at Rush University Medical Center and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Verywell Health,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Dellow was nervous about rush hour traffic, but the Uber dropped Nikishin off at 6:45 p.m. at the airport.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
1 May 2025
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Your younger colleague is nervous about each conversation.—
Jay Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Gabriela’s stalker exit arc & likely return DEADLINE: After being put through the ringer the last three seasons, Gabriela got to end her arc with a creepy stalker storyline.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
25 Apr. 2025
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Less time zipping between love interests will hopefully mean more time to solve the mystery of the creepy texter who began sending her cryptic, threatening messages in the final moments of Season 1.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This tender and slow hour isn’t for the restless, but a cathartic cry waits for those who make it to the end.—
Christian Holub,
EW.com,
18 Apr. 2025
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Add to that formula a volcanic voice and songs soaked in a restless spirit, and Dean has managed to set himself apart in a crowded country field.—
Nancy Kruh,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerve. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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