UNNERVE Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'unnerve' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unnerve are emasculate , enervate , and unman . While all these words 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

Q: When can 'emasculate' be used instead of 'unnerve'?

In some situations, the words emasculate and unnerve are roughly equivalent. However, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential. // an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Q: Where would 'enervate' be a reasonable alternative to 'unnerve'?

The words enervate and unnerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

Q: When is 'unman' a more appropriate choice than 'unnerve'?

The synonyms unman and unnerve are sometimes interchangeable, but unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit. // a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

unnerve

verb

ˌən-ˈnərv

Definition of unnerve next

as in to paralyze

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to discourage

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

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb unnerve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unnerve are emasculate, enervate, and unman. While all these words 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

When can emasculate be used instead of unnerve?

In some situations, the words emasculate and unnerve are roughly equivalent. However, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.

an amendment that emasculates existing safeguards

Where would enervate be a reasonable alternative to unnerve?

The words enervate and unnerve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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

When is unman a more appropriate choice than unnerve?

The synonyms unman and unnerve are sometimes interchangeable, but unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.

a soldier unmanned by the terrors of battle

Example Sentences

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Recent Examples of unnerve Russia is trying to unnerve civilians and wear down their will to resist in the almost 3-year-old war, military analysts say. —

Hanna Arhirova, Los Angeles Times, 26 Nov. 2024 Their relentlessly upbeat line deliveries will unnerve anyone who has played the role of the family mediator. —

Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025 But his perch in Trump’s transition has reportedly unnerved some members of their entourage. —

Simon Shuster, TIME, 21 Nov. 2024 But talk of mass deportations eventually unnerved her. —

Olga R. Rodriguez, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for unnerve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unnerve

Verb

President Donald Trump called for unity in his speech at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday morning — largely steering clear of addressing controversies around his actions cracking down on immigration and paralyzing federal efforts to distribute international aid.

— Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 6 Feb. 2025
Heavy snowfall paralyzes mountain travel The Sierra Nevada has been buried under heavy snowfall, with accumulations exceeding a foot on Tuesday.

— Hanna Park and Robert Shackelford, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025