1
as in paralyzed
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in discouraged
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
1
as in unstrung
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in powerless
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unnerved
Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His relatives have cut contact, unnerved by the flock of police that tail him.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Leann Williams, a resident of New Orleans neighborhood Tremé, was unnerved by the sight of heavily armed military personnel holding machine guns at the Superdome.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Brooks, the 28-year-old Wales international winger, was key to the visitors’ effort, producing a superb cross to assist Antoine Semenyo’s first goal, and integral to a pressing that unnerved Liverpool all night.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
For Birkin, getting older meant a kind of invisibility, a prospect that at once unnerved and elated her.
—Anahid Nersessian, New Yorker, 15 Sep. 2025
His relatives have cut contact, unnerved by the flock of police that tail him.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
Leann Williams, a resident of New Orleans neighborhood Tremé, was unnerved by the sight of heavily armed military personnel holding machine guns at the Superdome.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 27 Aug. 2025
Brooks, the 28-year-old Wales international winger, was key to the visitors’ effort, producing a superb cross to assist Antoine Semenyo’s first goal, and integral to a pressing that unnerved Liverpool all night.
—Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
The new administration’s unorthodox business policies — plus questions about the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate thinking — have unnerved many business owners and corporate executives.
—Jonathan Lansner, Oc Register, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerved
Verb
-
While staying in a secure position during economic uncertainty makes sense, remaining paralyzed by fear can derail long-term career growth and personal fulfillment.—
Kara Dennison,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Arbaugh’s journey began with a diving accident at a summer camp in 2016, which left the former Texas A&M student paralyzed from the shoulders down and largely dependent on his family.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
According to the filing, the system provided noose-tying instructions, romanticized suicide, and discouraged seeking help.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Sep. 2025
-
While the Fed's move was largely expected by Wall Street, some investors might have been discouraged by the committees' more hawkish outlook for next year, as members forecasted only one rate cut in 2026.—
Julie Coleman,
CNBC,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
When the Premier Lacrosse League’s Boston Cannons opened training camp back in May with unstrung lacrosse stick heads, players knew who to ask for an assist.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Even under the 1995 framework, regulators are not powerless.—
Lenwood V. Long,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Weightlifting was an antidote to feeling powerless.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Family pets, especially dogs, are frightened by the noise and will hide or try to run away.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
In the first Nobody, Odenkirk’s Hutch has to reignite the sleeping assassin within himself after his family was frightened by a botched home invasion.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Economic insecurity and political corruption have for years left many of Nepal’s youth frustrated, setting the stage for today’s protest movement.—
Nir Kshetri,
The Conversation,
14 Sep. 2025
-
As a baby boomer and an amateur genealogist, I am continually frustrated by the lack of interest my grandchildren’s generation seems to have in learning about their family history — particularly mine.—
Jeanne Phillips,
Mercury News,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The director noticed that the exhausted Sheen couldn't keep his eyes open even when cameras were rolling.—
Bryan Alexander,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
-
The result is not just one exhausted employee, but a system that steadily depletes its people.—
Sandro da Silva,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Noah is a debt-addled, nerdy middle-aged who feels totally emasculated by his inability to get a project off the ground.—
Sam Bodrojan,
IndieWire,
11 Sep. 2025
-
Blake is not an emasculated wimp; his confidence is complete, his suavity bordering on the toxic.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Unnerved.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unnerved. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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