unnerve

verb

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

transitive verb

1
: to deprive of courage, strength, or steadiness
2
: to cause to become nervous : upset
unnervingly adverb
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.
Still, the idea of attending a protest unnerved her. Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 30 Oct. 2024 There’s also the issue of whether a succession battle will unnerve investors. Winston Cho, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Sep. 2024 But Mulaney’s isn’t the only show that could unnerve the usual late-night lineup. Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 June 2024 It was released the following year and has been unnerving audiences ever since. Deborah Martin, San Antonio Express-News, 30 Sep. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near unnerve

Cite this Entry

“Unnerve.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unnerve. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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