Synonyms

unnerve

American

[uhn-nurv] / ʌnˈnɜrv /

verb (used with object)

unnerved, unnerving

to deprive of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; upset.

Fear unnerved him.

unnerve British

/ ʌnˈnɜːv /

verb

(tr) to cause to lose courage, strength, confidence, self-control, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of unnerve

First recorded in 1595–1605; un- ² + nerve

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

TOKYO—Japan’s central bank held rates steady on Friday, avoiding a surprise that would have jolted markets already unnerved by fiscal anxiety.

From The Wall Street Journal

As the show begins, the holograms of the actors sit before you in almost unnervingly close proximity.

From The Wall Street Journal

If Musk moves ahead with the idea, much of that $35 billion could come from his Tesla stake, which would unnerve investors for a while.

From Barron's

If Musk moves ahead with the idea much of that $35 billion could come from his Tesla stake, which would unnerve investors for a while.

From Barron's

As they gather for the first meeting of 2026, BOJ officials face growing uncertainty over the government’s fiscal policy that has unnerved markets.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023