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
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Philip – who currently plays on the PGA Tour Americas circuit – is competing in just his second US Open and his first since missing the cut at the 2018 tournament, which is why making a nervy 5-footer for par at his last hole early on Saturday to make the cut for the weekend meant the world to him.
—
Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 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
But her life story is nervy, compelling and shockingly sad both with and without him.
—Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Patrick Snell, CNN Money, 14 June 2025
Black Bag succeeds on its style and chilly wit, and on the cool, nervy appeal of its two stars.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 June 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
But her life story is nervy, compelling and shockingly sad both with and without him.
—Kim Willis, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Either by choice or otherwise, Wolves lost seven players who appeared regularly in the first team last season and brought in six new faces, so numbers-wise, there is little difference.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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The measure further reduces offshore drilling, but the effort to compensate in a region that is highly dependent on the oil industry was a wise move.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The plaque used the words magical, alluring, galvanizing and adventurous, and their initials spelled MAGA.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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Laviscount is known for his adventurous style.—
Jackie Fields,
PEOPLE,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nearly nine out of 10 institutional investors (89%) are nervous about investing in bitcoin due to its record-breaking growth, fearing losses from buying at all-time highs.—
Lawrence Wintermeyer,
Forbes.com,
18 Sep. 2025
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One new attorney who joined his program started with little knowledge and was nervous about joining.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bruno commented that the dance was cheeky and uplifting with the spirit of the cha cha , but added that the body wasn’t there.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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For the latter photo, her back was mostly to the camera, showing off a cheeky white one-piece swimsuit.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Kahlil Joseph film premiered at Sundance earlier this year and was one of the most daring and experimental films at the festival.—
Christian Blauvelt,
IndieWire,
18 Sep. 2025
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The daring elements continued with a sexy back detail that featured more jewels in between her shoulder blades before extending down into a long strap that connected to the bottom of the dress.—
Starr Bowenbank,
PEOPLE,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Small business owners, who rely on social media to promote and sell their products, were especially worried with a busy festive season looming.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
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Parents are worried not just about getting food on the table, but whether that food is good for their kids.—
Yasmin Tayag,
The Atlantic,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Now, Courtney Brown, an associate professor at Southern Methodist University (SMU), has taken a bold and creative step forward.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Sep. 2025
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Backstage, hair and makeup looks were designed to echo the avant-garde edge of his collection—a reminder that timeless beauty can be both bold and modern.—
Essence,
Essence,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Karki has spent much of her career within the very establishment the youth are protesting against, yet her reputation as a fearless and incorruptible jurist has appealed to many young people in the country of 30 million.—
Sugam Pokharel,
CNN Money,
12 Sep. 2025
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The Emmys are coming The awards show airs on Sunday, and here are some fearless projections.—
Randy McMullen,
Mercury News,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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