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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Marty Supreme is nervy and New York–y and based on a famous table-tennis player.
—
Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Nevada scored a late TD in that one to cause a nervy final two minutes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The thriller — more horrific than straight-up scary — is worth checking out, if only for the late Brittany Murphy's nervy turn as a razor-wielding woman confined to a sanatorium.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Nov. 2025
The last time San Diego State opened a men’s basketball season against Long Beach State, in 2010, Kawhi Leonard and the Aztecs trailed by one deep into the second half and needed three 3s by backup guard James Rahon to grind out a nervy road win.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Nevada scored a late TD in that one to cause a nervy final two minutes.
—Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2025
The thriller — more horrific than straight-up scary — is worth checking out, if only for the late Brittany Murphy's nervy turn as a razor-wielding woman confined to a sanatorium.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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This show has been so amazing for us, not just friendship-wise and getting so close to each other, but also being a part of something that people love.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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The sad thing is the Dolphins, in a wise effort to build the trenches during the past two years, have used lots of draft capital (left tackle Patrick Paul was a 2024 second-round pick and left guard Jonah Savaiinaea was a 2025 second-round pick) in that area.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Known for combining high fashion with streetwear, Bad Bunny has a reputation for adventurous and subversive style.—
Oscar Holland,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
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The run falls about 1,200 vertical feet below a slow, three-person lift that ferries expert skiers to some of Mammoth’s most adventurous terrain.—
Jack Dolan,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Kansas sophomore guard Jamari McDowell actually didn’t have time to get nervous — or overthink his role — after learning freshman sensation Darryn Peterson would miss Monday’s game against Arizona because of flu-like symptoms.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
10 Feb. 2026
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Investors would understandably be nervous when both the CFO and the general counsel depart, according to Shivaram Rajgopal, an accounting professor at Columbia Business School.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Spanxshape Swim styles will feature halter bikini tops, scoop-neck bikini tops, hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise cheeky bikini bottoms, ultra hi-rise bikini bottoms, hi-rise bikini skirts, bandeau one-pieces and cutout one-pieces.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
11 Feb. 2026
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The first trailer for The Adventures of Cliff Booth arrived during Super Bowl LX, teasing a cheeky and action-packed caper that, like its predecessor, aims to reverently recreate the Hollywood sights and sounds of the era.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His daring, sometimes reckless style had caught up to him.—
Zak Keefer,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
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Five minutes can be an eternity in montage time, but the movie’s lengthy introduction is a daring announcement of historical scope.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Capital expenditures, which are closely watched by investors who are worried about overspending, are expected to range between $175 billion to $185 billion in 2026.—
Jason Gewirtz,
CNBC,
5 Feb. 2026
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But Willie Brown, the former mayor and speaker was not worried that Newsom would overly burnish his own story in his book.—
Andrew Graham,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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His bold team selection against Palace — giving 17-year-old England youth international Harry Howell his full Premier League debut on the right flank and 18-year-old Greek centre-forward Charalampos Kostoulas his second league start — did not pay off.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
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However, Musk is known for delivering bold statements and shifting timelines.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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A little more than a week and five wins later, his young, talented and fearless team has delivered.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Chen, then 18 years old in his Olympic debut, bounced back in a fearless free skate that moved him into fifth overall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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