1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nervy
But her life story is nervy, compelling and shockingly sad both with and without him.
—
Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
The final stretch was nervy and tense, as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard drew a foul from Mitchell and sank two free throws, then Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed a 2-foot hook shot for the win.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
Neither the writer-director — whose influences here include Mike Leigh, Ken Loach and Gus Van Sant — nor lead Frank Dillane, who acts with a nervy volatility offset by insouciant charm and humor, courts our sympathies, even as the film shows unquestionable compassion.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 May 2025
The final stretch was nervy and tense, as Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard drew a foul from Mitchell and sank two free throws, then Indiana’s Natasha Howard missed a 2-foot hook shot for the win.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 22 May 2025
Many believe Newcastle and Chelsea will secure places regardless, but there is a huge opportunity to get within touching distance of confirmation with a win, while defeat would make for a nervy end to the season, with both Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa ready to pounce on any mistakes.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
-
Chekhov’s imagination is too wise and subtle for that.—
Philip Metres
July 30,
Literary Hub,
30 July 2025
-
Other characters include a talkative nurse, a wise parrot named Leonard, and a grumpy cat named Bitchy.—
Duante Beddingfield,
Freep.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
Memorable, inventive, and fully deserving of its place on the list, this one’s for the adventurous.—
Lela London,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
There have been conflicts between rideshare drivers and taxis in the past, so consider sticking with a reputable taxi or car service, However, the more adventurous can rent a car to explore nearby cenotes, ruins, and regional highlights.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
All 11 brought home at least one full point in Rome, the result of their talent but also of a cohesive approach where veteran Justin Rose was willing to be paired with nervous rookie Robert MacIntyre in fourball and sit the foursomes sessions.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 July 2025
-
Joe Mazur, senior analyst at Trivium China, a research and advisory firm, said the use of exit bans and the lack of clarity around specific cases will make foreign companies extremely nervous about sending staff to China, damaging overall business confidence.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
With a cheeky tease across social media, Victoria's Secret set fans' hearts pounding.—
Starr Bowenbank,
People.com,
29 July 2025
-
The campaign was clearly meant to be a cheeky play on the word jeans, which is a homophone of the word genes, but has spiraled into an online discussion about beauty standards, white supremacy, and more.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Glamour,
28 July 2025
Adjective
-
In today’s opinions newsletter: What worries Arizona farmers, the state’s first Turquoise Alert and a daring canal rescue.—
Joanna Allhands,
AZCentral.com,
26 July 2025
-
The series follows the daring exploits of Tamar Rabinyan, a highly-skilled Mossad agent dispatched to the Iranian capital to undermine the mullahs’ burgeoning nuclear weapons program.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Many tourism leaders in gateway towns near them are worried tourists will start going elsewhere if the park experience or its environment gets eroded.—
Kirk Siegler,
NPR,
24 July 2025
-
As an interior and environment appropriations bill makes its way through Congress, activists are worried about its impacts, including on coal ash regulations.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Patience is the ultimate virtue Thanks to the three biggest decisions Ujiri made in the 13 months leading up to the title — the firing of Dwane Casey, the trade for Kawhi Leonard and the deadline trade for Marc Gasol — Ujiri gained a reputation for bold, abrupt decision-making.—
Eric Koreen,
New York Times,
24 July 2025
-
The film, a bold, tender Mexican road movie, will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival‘s Horizons section.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
24 July 2025
Adjective
-
Our evolution lives in fabric, form and fearless self-expression.—
Karissa Mitchell,
Essence,
25 July 2025
-
At the top were leaders like the character played by Matthew McConaughey—fast-talking, endlessly confident, seemingly fearless.—
Aytekin Tank,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share