as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
a nerved and fearless driver of race cars
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nerved
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Adjective
But what places this film on this list is Byrne’s raw-nerved, aching, anxiously taut performance.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
The latest target is 402 km/h (250 mph), a mind-bending pace on two wheels that requires a special, steely nerved rider.
—IEEE Spectrum, 30 Mar. 2023
Jessica John gives one of the best performances of her career as the raw-nerved and boldly confrontational Barbara, whose despair leads to her confuse Johnny with Donny after a couple gallon-size jugs of wine.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Nov. 2022
The result is a work of rare, raw-nerved insight into group therapy and individual trauma, as well as a moving vision of male friendship and strength in the face of evil.
—Los Angeles Times, 9 Nov. 2021
Most of the emotion in the series veers toward the overblown or maudlin, though Winona Ryder (God bless ’er), who plays Will’s jangly nerved mother, Joyce, has at last decided to fully apply her once formidable talent to the role.
—Hank Stuever, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Putin, a former KGB agent, has ruled Russia as prime minister or president for more than 18 years, and in that time has crafted an image as a steely nerved leader and the man best qualified to rebuild his country after the end of the Soviet Union.
—Andrew E. Kramer, BostonGlobe.com, 7 May 2018
Cynthia Gerber is just right as the fragile-nerved stage manager Poppy.
—Pam Kragen, sandiegouniontribune.com, 15 Apr. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nerved
Adjective
-
Wonder responded by making the most liberating, thoughtful, adventurous and eclectic work of his career.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Kane will be enjoying his time on the water and live his active and adventurous lifestyle.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News Carter had braced for a backlash.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Though Ohio braced for severe weather, with some areas seeing hail come down, on March 22, some Ohio's cities reached record high temperatures during the day.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This brave warrior was behind enemy lines in the treacherous mountains of Iran, being hunted down by our enemies who were getting closer and closer by the hour.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Enter, a disruptor, bridging the Heat into this brave, new NBA world of the 2020s.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
4 Apr. 2026
Verb
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On the side, there’s a cup of mushroom stock fortified with soy sauce, molasses, rosemary and a touch of cayenne pepper for dunking.—
Jenn Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Japan considers China its main regional security threat and has fortified the country's southwestern islands near the East China Sea in recent years.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities on Tuesday reportedly apprehended the Michigan woman who went viral after wriggling her way through a police cruiser window while still handcuffed in a daring getaway, according to local outlets.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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The short teaser centers on yet more daring rescue missions from the heroic pups.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Help keep the center courageous.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Mahajan remains contagiously courageous and (narratively) humble.—
Sibani Ram,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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In Aries – the zodiac’s fearless trailblazer — the sun burns hotter and brighter.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
3 Apr. 2026
-
While women pirates weren’t exactly a dime a dozen even during the height of piracy, there were a surprising number of fearless females who plied the seven seas.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Stucco, gold leaf, and frescoes now decorate them; some details are delicate, and others are bold.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Israel moves fast, launching a bold military operation against a weaker Middle Eastern neighbor.—
Ishaan Tharoor,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nerved. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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