Synonyms

unnerving

American

[uhn-nur-ving] / ʌnˈnɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

depriving a person of courage, strength, determination, or confidence; disconcerting.

There's nothing easy about job hunting, but if asked to pinpoint the most unnerving part of the process, many would say it's interviewing.

Other Word Forms

unnervingly adverb

Etymology

Origin of unnerving

unnerv(e) ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Explanation

Use the adjective unnerving to describe situations and experiences that cause you to lose your courage. No matter how brave you are, a walk alone through a cemetery at night is bound to be a little unnerving. You might find it unnerving to get a flat tire on a deserted country road at sunset, or to find yourself onstage mid-play having completely forgotten your lines. In the 1620's, the root word unnerve meant "to destroy the strength of," but by the early 1700's it came to mean "to deprive of courage."

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Vocabulary lists containing unnerving

The Dead and the Gone

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Ten Words from The New York Times - June 5, 2013

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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.

De Wet maintains an unnerving smile and intensity throughout “Hag,” playing the role with as much humor as it deserves.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

"It's unnerving," Joy Coker, a mother of three in the area, said of the warehouse's location.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

The feature debut from writer-director Graham Parkes is also one of three films at the fest to feature comedy star Kate Berlant, here in a double role as unnerving twin couples-therapy influencers.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

While analysts said there’s still no sign that U.S. airlines are seeing any signs of demand destruction, how long that can last as the Middle East conflict escalates is what’s unnerving investors.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

After all this research, he had worked up a slightly unnerving spreadsheet and kept a copy tucked into his wallet.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

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