unnerve

verb

un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv How to pronounce unnerve (audio)
unnerved; unnerving; unnerves
Synonyms of unnervenext

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of courage, strength, or steadiness
2
: to cause to become nervous : upset
unnervingly
ˌən-ˈnər-viŋ-lē How to pronounce unnerve (audio)
adverb

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for unnerve

unnerve, enervate, unman, emasculate mean to deprive of strength or vigor and the capacity for effective action.

unnerve implies marked often temporary loss of courage, self-control, or power to act.

unnerved by the near collision

enervate suggests a gradual physical or moral weakening (as through luxury or indolence) until one is too feeble to make an effort.

a nation's youth enervated by affluence and leisure

unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Examples of unnerve in a Sentence

Seeing the police in there unnerved me. She was unnerved by his strange manner.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Starlink’s omnipresence and potential military applications have unnerved Beijing and spurred the nation’s scientists to action. — Erika Kinetz, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2025 Unforeseen plot twists in your career could unnerve you when wacky Uranus in Gemini throws the sun off its game on August 24. — Liz Simmons, StyleCaster, 28 July 2025 More to Read Trump’s immigration crackdown unnerves Cuban exiles long shielded from deportation May 26, 2025 Mexico’s transparency institute has revealed government corruption and wrongdoing. — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025 Mamdani’s massive win sent a lightning bolt through the Democratic party, energizing young progressives but also unnerving moderates who worried the candidate’s criticisms of Israel and socialist label could alienate centrist voters. — Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for unnerve

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of unnerve was in 1603

Rhymes for unnerve

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Browse Nearby Words

unneighborly
unnerve
unnest
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Cite this Entry

“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnerve. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.

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Kids Definition

unnerve

verb
un·​nerve ˌən-ˈnərv How to pronounce unnerve (audio)
ˈən-
unnerved; unnerving
: to deprive of nerve, courage, or self-control
the accident unnerved me

More from Merriam-Webster on unnerve

Nglish: Translation of unnerve for Spanish Speakers

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