unnerve
verb
transitive verb
Synonyms
- demoralize
- emasculate
- paralyze
- undo
- unman
- unstring
Example Sentences
Jace Lacob, EW.com, 25 July 2022 Ukraine has also accused Russia of setting off explosions at the plant in order to unnerve Ukraine’s European allies about nuclear safety and perhaps discourage them from arming Ukraine further. Vivian Yee, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2022 Ukraine has also accused the Russians of setting off explosions at the plant intended to unnerve European allies about nuclear safety and discourage arming Ukraine. Arkansas Online, 7 Aug. 2022 The mass shooting was just the latest to unnerve Americans in 2022. CBS News, 17 July 2022 The current invasion of the Italian capital comes from e-scooters -- more than 14,000 of them -- modern chariots that block sidewalks, unnerve drivers and kill. Barbie Latza Nadeau With Hada Messia, CNN, 19 June 2022 This moment could unnerve even the most seasoned coach — Final Four berth at stake, the winningest coach in college basketball history on the opposing bench, that same adversary only one loss from retirement. Ron Kroichick, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2022 The prospect of more protesters this weekend threatens to further unnerve residents who find themselves in the middle of a fight over measures to contain Covid-19 and encourage vaccination. Paul Vieira, WSJ, 4 Feb. 2022 The Hirshhorn’s 2017 show brought teeming crowds and hours-long, winding lines that would unnerve almost anyone in a pandemic-cautious world. Washington Post, 31 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
1603, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
unnerve
verb
unnerve
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- paralyze
- frighten
- terrify
- intimidate
- scare
- unsettle
- emasculate
- demoralize
- unman
- debilitate
- unstring
- weaken
- undo
- terrorize
- daunt
- enervate
- disturb
- discourage
- soften
- enfeeble
- waste
- dishearten
- dispirit
- neuter
- upset
- sap
- perturb
- dismay
- faze
- unhinge
- disquiet
- unbalance
- derange
- tire
- craze
- discompose
- madden
- prostrate
- psych (out)
- weird out
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nerve
- strengthen
- encourage
- fortify
- embolden
- hearten
Synonyms & Similar Words
- discourage
- frustrate
- daunt
- intimidate
- frighten
- dishearten
- dispirit
- horrify
- scare
- dismay
- demoralize
- unman
- afflict
- worry
- browbeat
- bother
- sadden
- trouble
- chill
- irk
- try
- bully
- distress
- undermine
- throw cold water on
- debilitate
- cow
- weigh
- weaken
- deaden
- depress
- vex
- dampen
- enfeeble
- damp
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- encourage
- nerve
- steel
- cheer
- embolden
- hearten
- enliven
- reinforce
- reassure
- strengthen
- assure
- enforce
- provoke
- gladden
- excite
- animate
- invigorate
- stimulate
- fortify
- inspire
- stir
- energize
- buoy (up)
- lift
- quicken
- boost
- reenforce
- rally
- galvanize
Synonym Chooser
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.
In some situations, the words emasculate and unnerve are roughly equivalent. However, emasculate stresses a depriving of characteristic force by removing something essential.
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.
The synonyms unman and unnerve are sometimes interchangeable, but unman implies a loss of manly vigor, fortitude, or spirit.